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Salary comparison

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists out-earn Occupational Health and Safety Specialists by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists land at $103,410 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists at $90,150. The education gap is real: medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists is California ($136,990); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$103,410
$90,150
Hourly rate
$49.72/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$64,800
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$177,780
$134,950
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
172,340
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
8.7%
12.5%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
California
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists median pay.

State
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
California
$136,990
$102,840
Massachusetts
$128,210
$103,970
Connecticut
$116,990
$96,110
Oregon
$111,030
$95,240
Washington
$105,680
$102,920
Alaska
$104,930
$99,270
Rhode Island
$103,370
$101,740
District of Columbia
$101,940
$111,530
New Hampshire
$100,650
$101,260
Nevada
$98,560
$94,360
Maine
$93,730
$97,640
Minnesota
$89,950
$96,990
New York
$87,760
$95,720
Illinois
$82,330
$98,270
North Dakota
$64,470
$93,250

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn more nationally. The median is $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists has the better 10-year outlook at 12.5% projected growth, compared to 8.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists at $136,990/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn $136,990 vs. $102,840 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists by take-home payExplore →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →