How Much Does a Medical Scientist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$103,410
Medical scientists in the U.S. earn a median of $103,410 a year, or $49.72 an hour. Half of medical scientists earn more than $103,410 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $177,780.
Pay percentiles for medical scientists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31.15 | $64,800 |
| 25th | $38.39 | $79,840 |
| 50th (median) | $49.72 | $103,410 |
| 75th | $67.01 | $139,380 |
| 90th | $85.47 | $177,780 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1042). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for medical scientists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $136,990 | $65.86 | +32% |
| New Jersey | $129,280 | $62.16 | +25% |
| Massachusetts | $128,210 | $61.64 | +24% |
| Connecticut | $116,990 | $56.25 | +13% |
| Arizona | $116,820 | $56.16 | +13% |
| Oregon | $111,030 | $53.38 | +7% |
| Maryland | $106,000 | $50.96 | +3% |
| Washington | $105,680 | $50.81 | +2% |
| Alaska | $104,930 | $50.45 | +1% |
| Rhode Island | $103,370 | $49.70 | 0% |
| United States | $103,410 | $49.72 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many medical scientists are there?
BLS counts about 172,340 medical scientists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (29,830), Massachusetts (17,100) and Pennsylvania (12,630).
The mean (average) annual wage is $116,840, higher than the median of $103,410.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,618
- Biweekly
- $3,977
- Weekly
- $1,989
- Daily (8 hours)
- $398
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical scientists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for medical scientists is $49.72. The middle 50% earn between $38.39 and $67.01 an hour.
Which state pays medical scientists the most?
California has the highest median wage for medical scientists at $136,990, +32% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for medical scientists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of medical scientists earn less than $64,800 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.