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Salary comparison

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

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Hydrologistss by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Hydrologistss land at $96,600 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: hydrologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Hydrologistss is Maryland ($143,010); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Hydrologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$96,600
$103,410
Hourly rate
$46.44/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$64,020
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$153,130
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
5,850
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Maryland
California

Pay by state

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

State
Hydrologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Maryland
$143,010
$106,000
Virginia
$132,080
$93,620
New Jersey
$126,680
$129,280
California
$122,110
$136,990
Massachusetts
$119,350
$128,210
Missouri
$116,100
$102,540
Alaska
$108,660
$104,930
Nevada
$107,930
$98,560
Washington
$105,600
$105,680
Oregon
$93,690
$111,030
Pennsylvania
$91,730
$99,190
Arizona
$86,700
$116,820
Montana
$84,500
$101,950
North Carolina
$81,770
$102,980
Florida
$76,850
$94,940

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

Common questions

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

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $96,600 for Hydrologistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Hydrologists 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 Hydrologistss get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Hydrologistss at $143,010/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Hydrologistss earn $143,010 vs. $106,000 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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