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Salary comparison

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

Materials Scientistss out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Materials Scientistss land at $117,790 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: materials scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Materials Scientistss is California ($177,030); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Materials Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$117,790
$103,410
Hourly rate
$56.63/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$66,820
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$197,290
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
8,470
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 Materials Scientists median pay.

State
Materials Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
California
$177,030
$136,990
Oregon
$150,550
$111,030
District of Columbia
$137,600
$101,940
Massachusetts
$132,600
$128,210
Connecticut
$130,320
$116,990
Washington
$127,250
$105,680
New Hampshire
$119,990
$100,650
Maryland
$112,400
$106,000
Pennsylvania
$106,920
$99,190
North Carolina
$106,470
$102,980
New Jersey
$103,150
$129,280
Florida
$102,340
$94,940
Nevada
$97,490
$98,560
Montana
$71,810
$101,950
Tennessee
$69,010
$102,720

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Materials Scientistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Materials Scientistss earn more nationally. The median is $117,790 for Materials Scientistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Materials Scientists 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 Materials Scientistss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Materials Scientistss at $177,030/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Materials Scientistss earn $177,030 vs. $136,990 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Materials Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Materials Scientistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a materials scientistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →