State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn a median of $103,410 per year ($49.72/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 8.7% through 2034, with about 9,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
SOC 19-1042Life, Physical, and Social ScienceLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $103,410
- Projected growth
- +8.7%
- Openings a year
- 9,600
- Typical education
- Doctorate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Pharmacologist, Clinical Research Scientist, Medical Researcher, Physician Scientist, Research Scientist.
How much do Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists make?
10th percentile$64,800
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$79,840
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$103,410
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$139,380
Upper quartile
90th percentile$177,780
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $103,410 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $49.72/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $116,840 |
| People employed | 172,340 |
Versus all US occupations
At $103,410, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn 103% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $52,430 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $88,355, this is 17% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $177,780 or more while the bottom 10% earn $64,800, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 81% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $136,990, and still leads at $123,727 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $136,990 | $123,727 | 29,830 |
| New Jersey | $129,280 | $118,818 | 6,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128,210 | $121,231 | 17,100 |
| Connecticut | $116,990 | $112,914 | 2,410 |
| Arizona | $116,820 | $116,034 | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $111,030 | $107,420 | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $106,000 | $100,992 | 6,760 |
| Washington | $105,680 | $98,754 | 6,150 |
| Alaska | $104,930 | $102,512 | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $103,370 | $101,066 | 670 |
Is Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists a growing career?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists8.7%
All US occupations3.1%
+8.7% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists to change 8.7% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.8× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 14,300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,600 openings are projected each year, 5.8% of the 165,300 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for medical scientists is expected to stem from greater demand for a variety of healthcare services as the population continues to age and rates of chronic disease continue to increase. These scientists will be needed for research into treating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, and problems related to treatment, such as antibiotic resistance. In addition, medical scientists will continue to be needed for medical research as a growing population travels globally and facilitates the spread of diseases.
How to become a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists
There is no licence for a medical scientist, and no certification body gating entry. BLS is explicit that medical scientists primarily conduct research and typically do not need licenses or certifications, but that those who practise medicine, such as by treating patients in clinical trials or in private practice, must be licensed as physicians or other healthcare practitioners. The real gate is the doctorate, and in practice a postdoctoral appointment after it.
The credential path, step by step
- Take a bachelor's degree in a life or physical science
BLS records that applicants to doctoral programmes typically hold a bachelor's degree in biology or a related physical science such as chemistry.
- Earn the doctorate, which is the actual entry requirement
BLS puts typical entry-level education at a doctoral or professional degree: medical scientists typically have a PhD, usually in biology or a related life science, and some get a medical degree instead of or in addition to a PhD. Medical degree programmes named include MD, DDS, DMD, DO, PharmD and advanced nursing degrees. Candidates sometimes qualify for positions with a master's degree plus experience.
- Consider a dual-degree programme if you want to do both
The federal version is the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program, run by NIGMS as an institutional predoctoral training grant. Trainees must be enrolled in a programme leading to a combined clinical degree and a PhD, such as MD-PhD, DO-PhD, DVM-PhD, DDS-PhD or PharmD-PhD. An institution may hold only one MSTP grant, and the grants are usually awarded for five years and are renewable.
- Expect a postdoctoral appointment before an independent position
BLS states that medical scientists with a PhD may begin their careers in postdoctoral research positions, working with experienced scientists to learn a specialty area and improve research skills, while those with a medical degree often complete a residency instead and generally spend several years in a hospital or physician's office.
- Get a medical licence only if you will actually practise
This is the distinction that decides whether any licensing applies to you at all. Conducting research needs no licence. Treating patients, including in a clinical trial, requires licensure as a physician or other healthcare practitioner. BLS notes that medical scientists may conduct clinical trials while working with licensed physicians, which is how most researchers stay on the research side of that line.
- How long the training takes
BLS states no duration for the doctorate anywhere on its medical scientists page, so any single figure would be invented. The nearest federally anchored numbers come from NIH training policy: Kirschstein-NRSA support at the predoctoral level for dual-degree training is capped at six years in aggregate across institutional training grants and individual fellowships, and NIGMS MSTP institutional training grants are usually awarded for five years and are renewable.
- Continuing education
Not required
There is no credential to renew, because there is none to earn. Continuing education obligations arise only for medical scientists who also hold a clinical licence, and they come from that state board rather than from anything about the research role.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
No state licenses medical scientists as such. State licensure enters only through the practice of medicine: a medical scientist who treats patients, in a clinical trial or otherwise, needs the same licence any physician or other healthcare practitioner would need from that state's board, and that licence is for practice rather than for research.
Who governs the credential
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH (NIGMS) — Runs the Medical Scientist Training Program, the federal institutional training grant that funds combined clinical-degree and PhD training.
Credential detail for medical scientist, except epidemiologistss is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical Scientists · checked August 23, 2026
- NIGMS: Medical Scientist Training Program · checked August 23, 2026
- NIH funding opportunity PAR-24-128, Medical Scientist Training Program (T32) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Medical scientists typically have a Ph.D., usually in biology or a related life science. Some get a medical degree instead of, or in addition to, a Ph.D.
| Typical entry-level education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Considerable preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as medical scientists, except epidemiologists.
- Doctoral Degree35.9%
- Post-Doctoral Training24.7%
- Master's Degree24.6%
- Bachelor's Degree8.0%
- Post-Master's Certificate6.9%
What does a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists do?
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.
Day-to-day tasks
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
- Write applications for research grants.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most medical scientists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
- Indoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where medical scientists, except epidemiologists work
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 34% |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 24% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 11% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 5% |
| Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Writing4.3/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Science4.1/5
- Active Learning4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
Transferable skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Systems Analysis3.8/5
- Instructing3.3/5
- Systems Evaluation3.3/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.3
Investigativeprimary7.0
Artistic2.4
Social3.3
Enterprising2.2
Conventionalprimary3.7
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists: frequently asked questions
How much do Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists make?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn a median of $103,410 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 103% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $49.72/hr. The middle half earn between $79,840 and $139,380. The top 10% earn $177,780 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 35.9% hold doctoral degree.
Is Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.7% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 9,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists do?
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. A core O*NET task: follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Development environment software, Geographic information system.
Which states pay Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists the most?
The highest state medians for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists are California ($136,990), New Jersey ($129,280), Massachusetts ($128,210) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists?
O*NET scores Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with INTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists?
BLS states no duration for the doctorate anywhere on its medical scientists page, so any single figure would be invented. The nearest federally anchored numbers come from NIH training policy: Kirschstein-NRSA support at the predoctoral level for dual-degree training is capped at six years in aggregate across institutional training grants and individual fellowships, and NIGMS MSTP institutional training grants are usually awarded for five years and are renewable.
Do you need a license to work as a Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists?
Not a state license. No state licenses medical scientists as such. State licensure enters only through the practice of medicine: a medical scientist who treats patients, in a clinical trial or otherwise, needs the same licence any physician or other healthcare practitioner would need from that state's board, and that licence is for practice rather than for research.