Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn a median $103,410 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What 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. Practitioners who primarily provide medical or dental care or dispense drugs are included in "Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners" (29-1000).
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +12.6% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 10,500
Employment of medical scientists, except epidemiologists is projected to grow 12.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,920
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,411
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,499
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$81,579
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,800 | $31.15 | $54,247 |
| 25th percentile | $79,840 | $38.38 | $64,997 |
| Median (50th) | $103,410 | $49.72 | $81,579 |
| 75th percentile | $139,380 | $67.01 | $106,532 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,780 | $85.47 | $132,779 |
Best cities for medical scientists, except epidemiologists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $160,180 | $108,000 | $93,415 | 7,310 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $129,500 | $93,524 | $86,384 | 16,060 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $134,890 | $93,395 | $82,238 | 8,520 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $103,410 | $77,656 | $81,668 | 2,560 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $130,980 | $91,137 | $81,454 | 4,960 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $102,950 | $78,095 | $76,150 | 8,020 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $83,000 | $74,685 | 5,480 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,940 | $75,772 | $72,286 | 3,400 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $107,110 | $78,046 | $71,678 | 5,980 |
| 10 | New York, NY | $103,360 | $76,486 | $67,949 | 10,090 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $80,470 | $65,441 | $66,350 | 6,090 |
| 12 | Baltimore, MD | $88,980 | $67,565 | $64,663 | 2,520 |
| 13 | Dallas, TX | $79,470 | $64,737 | $62,797 | 2,630 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $83,240 | $63,414 | $61,213 | 3,810 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $160,180
- Los Angeles, CA — $134,890
- San Diego, CA — $130,980
- Boston, MA — $129,500
- Washington, DC — $107,110
- Seattle, WA — $105,430
- St. Louis, MO — $103,410
- New York, NY — $103,360
- Philadelphia, PA — $102,950
- Minneapolis, MN — $102,940
- Baltimore, MD — $88,980
- Chicago, IL — $83,240
- Houston, TX — $80,470
- Dallas, TX — $79,470
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $136,990 | +4.2% | $94,607 | $81,320 – $180,060 | 29,830 |
| New Jersey | $129,280 | +1.6% | $93,584 | $77,540 – $216,650 | 6,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128,210 | −0.8% | $92,707 | $77,790 – $208,490 | 17,100 |
| Connecticut | $116,990 | −8.7% | $86,263 | $68,160 – $187,310 | 2,410 |
| Arizona | $116,820 | +14.2% | $88,301 | $70,430 – $154,550 | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $111,030 | +11.5% | $78,054 | $69,720 – $205,870 | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $106,000 | +2.4% | $78,730 | $71,150 – $172,520 | 6,760 |
| Washington | $105,680 | +4.5% | $83,176 | $69,500 – $173,140 | 6,150 |
| Alaska | $104,930 | +3.9% | $82,648 | $78,000 – $156,850 | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $103,370 | −0.9% | $78,243 | $66,370 – $218,940 | 670 |
| North Carolina | $102,980 | −1.3% | $77,676 | $63,800 – $171,170 | 5,730 |
| Tennessee | $102,720 | +7.5% | $81,094 | $63,500 – $155,100 | 4,020 |
| Missouri | $102,540 | +5.8% | $77,085 | $64,160 – $173,480 | 3,650 |
| Montana | $101,950 | +51.9% | $76,153 | $63,820 – $139,770 | 320 |
| District of Columbia | $101,940 | −8.0% | $74,848 | $66,100 – $195,190 | 670 |
| New Hampshire | $100,650 | +8.8% | $79,637 | $70,090 – $150,030 | 210 |
| Delaware | $100,190 | +2.6% | $74,042 | $65,520 – $214,040 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,190 | −0.3% | $75,565 | $61,490 – $214,690 | 12,630 |
| Nevada | $98,560 | −2.0% | $78,167 | $77,990 – $125,100 | 530 |
| Florida | $94,940 | −3.4% | $75,620 | $64,630 – $208,090 | 6,490 |
| Maine | $93,730 | −13.2% | $69,563 | $62,970 – $216,940 | 100 |
| Virginia | $93,620 | −1.5% | $70,123 | $65,540 – $186,810 | 4,560 |
| Georgia | $92,450 | −2.0% | $69,693 | $61,640 – $208,000 | 1,910 |
| Minnesota | $89,950 | +7.8% | $67,517 | $65,140 – $141,070 | 6,760 |
| New York | $87,760 | +3.3% | $66,427 | $67,490 – $177,510 | 7,690 |
| Kansas | $84,490 | −12.1% | $64,354 | $62,190 – $219,100 | 1,070 |
| Michigan | $84,310 | +3.7% | $64,810 | $63,590 – $144,530 | 2,370 |
| Ohio | $83,910 | +5.6% | $66,336 | $60,080 – $173,450 | 4,840 |
| Iowa | $83,850 | −1.4% | $65,284 | $59,580 – $142,140 | 1,060 |
| Idaho | $83,010 | +9.8% | $63,936 | $59,680 – $239,200+ | 380 |
| Utah | $82,940 | +5.6% | $64,412 | $65,310 – $139,050 | 1,560 |
| West Virginia | $82,690 | −2.0% | $63,952 | $61,950 – $173,900 | 330 |
| Wisconsin | $82,530 | +2.0% | $63,896 | $62,850 – $128,680 | 2,970 |
| Illinois | $82,330 | +5.0% | $62,819 | $59,550 – $143,890 | 4,700 |
| Indiana | $81,110 | +5.0% | $63,528 | $63,510 – $151,510 | 2,010 |
| Nebraska | $80,970 | +6.5% | $62,988 | $52,330 – $111,020 | 620 |
| South Dakota | $80,890 | +5.0% | $65,736 | $59,470 – $127,120 | 140 |
| Texas | $80,470 | +2.6% | $65,441 | $63,870 – $144,060 | 11,920 |
| Kentucky | $77,580 | +6.0% | $60,810 | $55,320 – $162,590 | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $76,480 | −3.6% | $59,738 | $60,670 – $140,020 | 920 |
| Arkansas | $72,530 | +12.1% | $57,239 | $63,050 – $183,430 | 230 |
| Alabama | $68,490 | +4.2% | $53,853 | $51,140 – $135,150 | — |
| New Mexico | $67,100 | +10.6% | $54,047 | $40,660 – $104,710 | 340 |
| Vermont | $66,500 | −1.3% | $53,684 | $66,500 – $115,020 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $64,470 | −15.0% | $53,982 | $51,170 – $103,220 | 250 |
| Mississippi | $54,040 | +9.8% | $44,172 | $41,360 – $84,350 | 440 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $127,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.3% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical scientists, except epidemiologists make?
The national median salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists is $103,410 a year ($49.72 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,800 and the top 10% earn over $177,780. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays medical scientists, except epidemiologists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $136,990. After taxes and local prices, San Francisco, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many medical scientists, except epidemiologists are there in the U.S.?
About 172,340 people work as medical scientists, except epidemiologists nationwide.