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Salary comparison

Anthropologists and Archeologists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists out-earn Anthropologists and Archeologists by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Anthropologists and Archeologists land at $70,770 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists at $103,410. The education gap is real: anthropologists and archeologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Anthropologists and Archeologists is Massachusetts ($121,300); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists it's California ($136,990).

Anthropologists and Archeologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$70,770
$103,410
Hourly rate
$34.02/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$49,050
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$108,060
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
8,990
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
3.7%
8.7%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Massachusetts
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Anthropologists and Archeologists median pay.

State
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Massachusetts
$121,300
$128,210
Connecticut
$91,420
$116,990
Alaska
$89,810
$104,930
Oregon
$84,970
$111,030
Pennsylvania
$79,660
$99,190
Montana
$79,420
$101,950
Washington
$74,790
$105,680
North Carolina
$73,130
$102,980
California
$72,240
$136,990
Missouri
$66,930
$102,540
New Jersey
$66,230
$129,280
Arizona
$65,290
$116,820
New Hampshire
$61,160
$100,650
Tennessee
$60,310
$102,720
Maryland
$54,160
$106,000

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Anthropologists and Archeologists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn more nationally. The median is $70,770 for Anthropologists and Archeologists versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Anthropologists and Archeologists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the better 10-year outlook at 8.7% projected growth, compared to 3.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Anthropologists and Archeologists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Anthropologists and Archeologists 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 Anthropologists and Archeologists get paid the most?

Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Anthropologists and Archeologists at $121,300/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Anthropologists and Archeologists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Anthropologists and Archeologists earn $121,300 vs. $128,210 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Anthropologists and Archeologists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Anthropologists and Archeologists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by take-home payExplore →How to become a anthropologists and archeologistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →