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Forest and Conservation Technicians vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists out-earn Forest and Conservation Technicians by $49K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Forest and Conservation Technicians land at $54,560 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists at $103,410. The education gap is real: forest and conservation technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Forest and Conservation Technicians is North Dakota ($68,600); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists it's California ($136,990).

Forest and Conservation Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$54,560
$103,410
Hourly rate
$26.23/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$40,330
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$83,630
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
30,410
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
-3.2%
8.7%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
North Dakota
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Forest and Conservation Technicians median pay.

State
Forest and Conservation Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Alaska
$68,160
$104,930
Maryland
$64,980
$106,000
California
$58,120
$136,990
Pennsylvania
$57,370
$99,190
Arizona
$56,660
$116,820
Massachusetts
$56,480
$128,210
Oregon
$55,910
$111,030
Nevada
$54,230
$98,560
Washington
$54,160
$105,680
Montana
$52,420
$101,950
Florida
$52,420
$94,940
New Hampshire
$51,630
$100,650
North Carolina
$48,360
$102,980
Tennessee
$47,940
$102,720
Missouri
$33,920
$102,540

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Forest and Conservation Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn more nationally. The median is $54,560 for Forest and Conservation Technicians versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, a difference of $49K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Forest and Conservation Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the better 10-year outlook at 8.7% projected growth, compared to -3.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Forest and Conservation Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Forest and Conservation Technicians 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 Forest and Conservation Technicians get paid the most?

North Dakota is the top-paying state for Forest and Conservation Technicians at $68,600/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Forest and Conservation Technicians vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Forest and Conservation Technicians earn $68,160 vs. $104,930 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Forest and Conservation Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Forest and Conservation Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by take-home payExplore →How to become a forest and conservation techniciansGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →