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Salary comparison

Food Scientists and Technologists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Food Scientists and Technologistss by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Food Scientists and Technologistss land at $88,720 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: food scientists and technologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Food Scientists and Technologistss is South Carolina ($108,660); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Food Scientists and Technologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$88,720
$103,410
Hourly rate
$42.65/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$52,920
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$145,280
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
13,060
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
South Carolina
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Food Scientists and Technologists median pay.

State
Food Scientists and Technologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Missouri
$105,930
$102,540
New Jersey
$104,340
$129,280
Massachusetts
$103,580
$128,210
Florida
$101,160
$94,940
Washington
$94,990
$105,680
California
$93,950
$136,990
Maryland
$93,330
$106,000
Arizona
$90,450
$116,820
Rhode Island
$87,970
$103,370
Pennsylvania
$83,380
$99,190
Tennessee
$81,760
$102,720
Oregon
$81,660
$111,030
Nevada
$80,580
$98,560
North Carolina
$79,840
$102,980
Montana
$52,230
$101,950

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Food Scientists and Technologistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $88,720 for Food Scientists and Technologistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Food Scientists and Technologists 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, Food Scientists and Technologists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Food Scientists and Technologists 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 Food Scientists and Technologistss get paid the most?

South Carolina is the top-paying state for Food Scientists and Technologistss at $108,660/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Food Scientists and Technologists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Missouri, Food Scientists and Technologistss earn $105,930 vs. $102,540 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Food Scientists and Technologists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Food Scientists and Technologistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a food scientists and technologistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →