How much does a medical scientist make?
The median medical scientist in the United States earns $103,410 per year, about $49.72 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all medical scientists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1042.
Medical scientist salary range
Pay for medical scientists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $64,800 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $177,780. The average (mean) wage of $116,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,800 | $31.15 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $79,840 | $38.39 | |
| Median (50th) | $103,410 | $49.72 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $139,380 | $67.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $177,780 | $85.47 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for medical scientists, except epidemiologists (SOC 19-1042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Medical scientist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Medical scientists earn the most in California at $136,990 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $54,040. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $136,990 | 29,830 |
| New Jersey | $129,280 | 6,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128,210 | 17,100 |
| Connecticut | $116,990 | 2,410 |
| Arizona | $116,820 | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $111,030 | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $106,000 | 6,760 |
| Washington | $105,680 | 6,150 |
| Alaska | $104,930 | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $103,370 | 670 |
| North Carolina | $102,980 | 5,730 |
| Tennessee | $102,720 | 4,020 |
| Missouri | $102,540 | 3,650 |
| Montana | $101,950 | 320 |
| District of Columbia | $101,940 | 670 |
| New Hampshire | $100,650 | 210 |
| Delaware | $100,190 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,190 | 12,630 |
| Nevada | $98,560 | 530 |
| Florida | $94,940 | 6,490 |
| Maine | $93,730 | 100 |
| Virginia | $93,620 | 4,560 |
| Georgia | $92,450 | 1,910 |
| Minnesota | $89,950 | 6,760 |
| New York | $87,760 | 7,690 |
| Kansas | $84,490 | 1,070 |
| Michigan | $84,310 | 2,370 |
| Ohio | $83,910 | 4,840 |
| Iowa | $83,850 | 1,060 |
| Idaho | $83,010 | 380 |
| Utah | $82,940 | 1,560 |
| West Virginia | $82,690 | 330 |
| Wisconsin | $82,530 | 2,970 |
| Illinois | $82,330 | 4,700 |
| Indiana | $81,110 | 2,010 |
| Nebraska | $80,970 | 620 |
| South Dakota | $80,890 | 140 |
| Texas | $80,470 | 11,920 |
| Kentucky | $77,580 | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $76,480 | 920 |
| Arkansas | $72,530 | 230 |
| Alabama | $68,490 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $67,100 | 340 |
| Vermont | $66,500 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $64,470 | 250 |
| Mississippi | $54,040 | 440 |
State median wages for medical scientists, except epidemiologists (SOC 19-1042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for medical scientists
The BLS projects employment of medical scientists to grow 12.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 181,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 203,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,500 openings a year for medical scientists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a medical scientist
The typical entry-level education for medical scientists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a medical scientist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $136,990) and the lowest (Mississippi, $54,040) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 172,340 people work as medical scientists in the United States. At $103,410 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Medical scientist salary FAQ
How much does a medical scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a medical scientist is $49.72. The middle half of medical scientists earn between $38.39 and $67.01 per hour.
What is the highest medical scientist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of medical scientists earn more than $177,780 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a medical scientist make a year?
The median annual salary for a medical scientist is $103,410. The average (mean) wage of $116,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a medical scientist a well paid job?
At $103,410 a year, a medical scientist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 172,340 people work as medical scientists in the United States.
Which state pays medical scientists the most?
California has the highest median salary for medical scientists at $136,990 a year. New Jersey ($129,280) and Massachusetts ($128,210) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a medical scientist a good career?
Employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 12.6% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a medical scientist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for medical scientists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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