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Biochemists and Biophysicists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Biochemists and Biophysicists out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by $24K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Biochemists and Biophysicists land at $127,410 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists at $103,410. The education gap is real: biochemists and biophysicist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Biochemists and Biophysicists is Florida ($157,390); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists it's California ($136,990).

Biochemists and Biophysicists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$127,410
$103,410
Hourly rate
$61.26/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$74,290
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$201,110
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
33,830
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
5.8%
8.7%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Florida
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Biochemists and Biophysicists median pay.

State
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
California
$139,580
$136,990
Tennessee
$134,560
$102,720
Pennsylvania
$134,090
$99,190
Connecticut
$132,670
$116,990
Massachusetts
$131,600
$128,210
New Jersey
$122,620
$129,280
District of Columbia
$120,090
$101,940
New Hampshire
$109,770
$100,650
Delaware
$101,880
$100,190
Maryland
$100,650
$106,000
Washington
$98,840
$105,680
North Carolina
$82,220
$102,980
Missouri
$79,550
$102,540
Rhode Island
$76,710
$103,370
Nevada
$69,220
$98,560

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Biochemists and Biophysicists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Biochemists and Biophysicists earn more nationally. The median is $127,410 for Biochemists and Biophysicists versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, a difference of $24K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Biochemists and Biophysicists 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, Biochemists and Biophysicists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Biochemists and Biophysicists 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 Biochemists and Biophysicists get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Biochemists and Biophysicists at $157,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Biochemists and Biophysicists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Biochemists and Biophysicists earn $139,580 vs. $136,990 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Biochemists and Biophysicists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Biochemists and Biophysicists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by take-home payExplore →How to become a biochemists and biophysicistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →