Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
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.
Also called: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) · Clinical Pharmacologist · Clinical Research Scientist · Medical Researcher · Physician Scientist · Research Scientist
Median pay (national)
$100,590
$61,860–$168,210 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
156,300
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+8.7%
~9,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $168,210 versus $61,860 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $100,590 leaves roughly 67% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +8.7% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 9,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 49 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $131,430, +31% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $47,520 — a 177% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Writing, Speaking, Science as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, R as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- 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.
- Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
- Write applications for research grants.
- 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.
- Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
- Study animal and human health and physiological processes.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- R
- Adobe Photoshop
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Linux
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Python
- SAS
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- UNIX
- BioArray Software Environment BASE
- Database software
- FileMaker Pro
- IBM Notes
Knowledge areas
- Biology
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management