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Salary comparison

Animal Scientists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists out-earn Animal Scientists by $34K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Animal Scientists land at $68,940 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists at $103,410. The education gap is real: animal scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Animal Scientists is Texas ($132,830); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists it's California ($136,990).

Animal Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$68,940
$103,410
Hourly rate
$33.14/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$44,350
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$166,000
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
3,100
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
5.8%
8.7%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Texas
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Animal Scientists median pay.

State
Animal Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Texas
$132,830
$80,470
Minnesota
$88,640
$89,950
Wisconsin
$84,310
$82,530
Washington
$83,160
$105,680
Kansas
$80,090
$84,490
Maryland
$77,750
$106,000
Pennsylvania
$77,660
$99,190
South Dakota
$77,300
$80,890
Iowa
$75,290
$83,850
North Dakota
$72,100
$64,470
Michigan
$60,010
$84,310
Nebraska
$55,300
$80,970
Illinois
$47,930
$82,330

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Animal Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn more nationally. The median is $68,940 for Animal Scientists versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, a difference of $34K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Animal Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the better 10-year outlook at 8.7% projected growth, compared to 5.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Animal Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Animal Scientists typically requires bachelor's degree. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Animal Scientists get paid the most?

Texas is the top-paying state for Animal Scientists at $132,830/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Animal Scientists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Texas, Animal Scientists earn $132,830 vs. $80,470 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Animal Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Animal Scientists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by take-home payExplore →How to become a animal scientistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →