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Salary comparison

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

Biochemists and Biophysicistss out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by $24K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Biochemists and Biophysicistss land at $127,410 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss 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 Biophysicistss is Florida ($157,390); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss 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)
N/A
N/A
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 Biophysicistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

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

Which has better job growth, Biochemists and Biophysicists 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, 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 Biophysicistss get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Biochemists and Biophysicistss 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 Biophysicistss earn $139,580 vs. $136,990 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. 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 Biophysicistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a biochemists and biophysicistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →