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Salary comparison

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Atmospheric and Space Scientistss by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Atmospheric and Space Scientistss land at $99,070 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: atmospheric and space scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Atmospheric and Space Scientistss is Maryland ($128,800); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$99,070
$103,410
Hourly rate
$47.63/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$53,060
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$161,890
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
10,000
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Maryland
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Atmospheric and Space Scientists median pay.

State
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Maryland
$128,800
$106,000
California
$124,920
$136,990
New Jersey
$120,180
$129,280
Arizona
$115,020
$116,820
Missouri
$114,230
$102,540
Oregon
$112,260
$111,030
Montana
$108,890
$101,950
Massachusetts
$108,050
$128,210
District of Columbia
$103,860
$101,940
Tennessee
$96,190
$102,720
Washington
$94,400
$105,680
Alaska
$94,380
$104,930
North Carolina
$91,560
$102,980
Connecticut
$85,110
$116,990
New Hampshire
$42,820
$100,650

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Atmospheric and Space Scientistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $99,070 for Atmospheric and Space Scientistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Atmospheric and Space Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Atmospheric and Space Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Atmospheric and Space 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 Atmospheric and Space Scientistss get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Atmospheric and Space Scientistss at $128,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Atmospheric and Space Scientistss earn $128,800 vs. $106,000 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Atmospheric and Space Scientistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a atmospheric and space scientistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →