Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

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

Economistss out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Economistss land at $124,720 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: economist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Economistss is District of Columbia ($167,590); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Economists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$124,720
$103,410
Hourly rate
$59.96/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$67,360
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$238,060
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
17,790
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
California

Pay by state

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

State
Economists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
District of Columbia
$167,590
$101,940
New Jersey
$167,550
$129,280
Maryland
$144,680
$106,000
North Carolina
$136,150
$102,980
Oregon
$122,120
$111,030
California
$119,410
$136,990
Tennessee
$117,650
$102,720
Missouri
$117,010
$102,540
Alaska
$111,040
$104,930
Washington
$109,300
$105,680
Massachusetts
$106,380
$128,210
Connecticut
$101,400
$116,990
Montana
$89,340
$101,950
New Hampshire
$86,130
$100,650
Arizona
$79,610
$116,820

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Economistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Economistss earn more nationally. The median is $124,720 for Economistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Economists 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 Economistss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Economistss at $167,590/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Economistss earn $167,590 vs. $101,940 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Economists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Economistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a economistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →