by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Biomechanics covers A Program Of Study That Focuses On The Biological, Anatomical, And Mechanical Structure And Function Of The Mechanical Aspects Of Biological Systems. Includes Courses In Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Mechanics, Measurement And Instrumentation, And Research Methods. Read on to learn the essential details every biomechanics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biomechanics programs.
Across the country, biomechanics draws strong interest, with 62 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biomechanics Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biomechanics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biomechanics programs later in this article.
Programs in Biomechanics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biomechanics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a biomechanics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a biomechanics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biomechanics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 29 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 20 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13 |
People currently working in careers related to biomechanics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 29.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 23.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biomechanics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in biomechanics prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to biomechanics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biomechanics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biomechanics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,024 |
| 4 years | $53,598 |
| 5 years | $65,802 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biomechanics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biomechanics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 6 different biomechanics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biomechanics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in biomechanics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 7,132 |
| Physiology, General | 2,816 |
| Pathology/Experimental Pathology | 306 |
| Vision Science/Physiological Optics | 269 |
| Oncology and Cancer Biology | 193 |
| Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other | 148 |
| Cardiovascular Science | 62 |
| Molecular Physiology | 52 |
| Cell Physiology | 51 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
