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Salary comparison

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

Nuclear Technicians out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nuclear Technicians land at $110,240 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists at $103,410. The education gap is real: nuclear technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Nuclear Technicians is Florida ($135,550); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists it's California ($136,990).

Nuclear Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$110,240
$103,410
Hourly rate
$53/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$73,150
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$133,600
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
6,470
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
-7.7%
8.7%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Florida
California

Pay by state

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

State
Nuclear Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Florida
$135,550
$94,940
New York
$129,780
$87,760
Pennsylvania
$124,070
$99,190
Texas
$124,060
$80,470
Massachusetts
$113,390
$128,210
North Carolina
$110,430
$102,980
Illinois
$110,390
$82,330
Alabama
$110,240
$68,490
Washington
$108,200
$105,680
Missouri
$104,580
$102,540
California
$99,270
$136,990
Virginia
$98,930
$93,620
Tennessee
$91,980
$102,720

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Nuclear Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Nuclear Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $110,240 for Nuclear Technicians versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the better 10-year outlook at 8.7% projected growth, compared to -7.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Nuclear Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Nuclear 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 Nuclear Technicians get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Nuclear Technicians at $135,550/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Florida, Nuclear Technicians earn $135,550 vs. $94,940 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Nuclear Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Nuclear Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists by take-home payExplore →How to become a nuclear techniciansGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →