Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
SOC code 19-1042 · O*NET-SOC 19-1042.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$103,410
a year
Hourly
$49.72
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$116,840
$56.18 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,840 – $139,380
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$64,800 – $177,780
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
172,340
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $64,800
- $31.15/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,840
- $38.39/hr
- Median percentile
- $103,410
- $49.72/hr
- 75th percentile
- $139,380
- $67.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $177,780
- $85.47/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
165,300
jobs in 2024
179,600
projected for 2034
About 14,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do medical scientists, 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
- Study animal and human health and physiological processes.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 36% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree36%
- Post-Doctoral Training25%
- Master's Degree25%
- Bachelor's Degree8%
Common questions
How much does a medical scientists, except epidemiologists earn?
The national median is $103,410 a year. The full range runs from $64,800 at the 10th percentile to $177,780 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a medical scientists, except epidemiologists without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is medical scientists, except epidemiologists in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
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
Knowledge areas
- Biology4.7/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.7/5
- Chemistry3.4/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Analysis.