Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists, represent a substantial professional field with 165,000 workers nationwide and a national median annual salary of $100,590. The role generally requires advanced education at the doctoral or professional degree level, reflecting its highly specialized nature. Projected employment growth of 8.7% combined with 10,000 annual openings suggests a steady flow of opportunities for qualified candidates over time. Success in this career draws on a mix of science, mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and strong problem solving and decision making. Complementary strengths in writing and reading, speaking and listening, and being detail oriented help support effective work and communication. Skills in computers and information technology and adaptability further round out the profile. For individuals who enjoy scientific work, value deep expertise, and are prepared for extensive education, this occupation offers a structured path with defined qualifications and a sizable national workforce to enter and grow within.
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists, earn a national median annual salary of $100,590, with notable variation across states and metro areas. Among top states by opportunity score, California stands out with a median salary of $136,990, followed by Massachusetts at $128,210. Washington and Virginia offer median salaries of $105,680 and $93,620, respectively, while New York’s median is $87,760. At the metro level, some areas show even higher pay. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area reports a median salary of $160,180, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is close behind at $159,300. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH shows a median of $129,500, and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro reports $107,110. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median salary of $103,360. These figures indicate that earning potential can change significantly with location.
Nationally, employment for medical scientists, except epidemiologists, stands at 165,000, with projected employment growth of 8.7%. This growth projection, paired with 10,000 annual openings, points to a consistent demand for new entrants as well as movement within the field. The presence of the same 8.7% growth rate in the highlighted top states and metro areas suggests broadly similar projected expansion in those regions. States such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Virginia all share this projected growth rate, and leading metro areas such as San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH do as well. For individuals planning a long-term career, this combination of a sizable existing workforce, defined annual openings, and a specific growth rate offers a measurable outlook that can be factored into education, relocation, and career-planning decisions.
Location plays a major role in the opportunity profile for medical scientists, except epidemiologists. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 29,830 and the highest median salary at $136,990, along with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts follows with 17,100 employed, a median salary of $128,210, and an opportunity score of 65.87. New York, Washington, and Virginia have smaller employment counts—7,690, 6,150, and 4,560 respectively—with median salaries from $87,760 to $105,680 and opportunity scores between 54.96 and 65.78. At the metro level, opportunity scores are especially strong in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (77.42) and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (77.27). San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers a very high median salary of $160,180 and an opportunity score of 68.75. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV combine significant employment levels with solid salaries and opportunity scores above 60, giving multiple geographic options to consider.
The typical education requirement for medical scientists, except epidemiologists, is a doctoral or professional degree. This high level of formal education aligns with the occupation’s emphasis on advanced scientific knowledge and analysis. Core skills for success in this field include science, mathematics, and critical and analytical thinking, which support rigorous inquiry and evaluation. Problem solving and decision making, along with creativity and innovation, contribute to addressing complex questions and developing new approaches. Strong writing and reading, as well as speaking and listening, help with conveying information clearly and collaborating effectively. Being detail oriented supports accuracy and thoroughness in work processes. Skills in computers and information technology are also important, reflecting the role of digital tools in modern professional environments. Adaptability rounds out the skill set, helping professionals adjust to evolving methods, information, and workplace needs while applying their advanced education in practice.
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