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Salary comparison

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

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Foresterss by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Foresterss land at $76,400 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: forester programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Foresterss is California ($107,120); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Foresters
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$76,400
$103,410
Hourly rate
$36.73/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$50,790
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$109,700
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
10,430
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
California
California

Pay by state

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

State
Foresters
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
California
$107,120
$136,990
Massachusetts
$89,650
$128,210
Alaska
$87,210
$104,930
Maryland
$86,100
$106,000
Connecticut
$84,820
$116,990
Oregon
$81,450
$111,030
Washington
$78,460
$105,680
Pennsylvania
$78,280
$99,190
North Carolina
$77,870
$102,980
District of Columbia
$74,710
$101,940
Tennessee
$71,990
$102,720
Arizona
$67,200
$116,820
Montana
$67,200
$101,950
New Hampshire
$65,170
$100,650
Missouri
$63,220
$102,540

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

Common questions

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

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $76,400 for Foresterss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Foresters 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 Foresterss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Foresterss at $107,120/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Foresterss earn $107,120 vs. $136,990 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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