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Salary comparison

Physical Scientists, All Other vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Physical Scientists, All Others out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Physical Scientists, All Others land at $122,570 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: physical scientists, all other programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Physical Scientists, All Others is District of Columbia ($156,730); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Physical Scientists, All Other
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$122,570
$103,410
Hourly rate
$58.93/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$67,000
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$195,190
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
22,300
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Physical Scientists, All Other median pay.

State
Physical Scientists, All Other
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
District of Columbia
$156,730
$101,940
Maryland
$141,290
$106,000
Massachusetts
$138,380
$128,210
Pennsylvania
$134,780
$99,190
Washington
$133,980
$105,680
California
$130,610
$136,990
Tennessee
$129,570
$102,720
Arizona
$125,270
$116,820
Alaska
$120,240
$104,930
New Hampshire
$112,370
$100,650
North Carolina
$110,030
$102,980
New Jersey
$109,990
$129,280
Oregon
$109,580
$111,030
Connecticut
$99,990
$116,990
Montana
$94,520
$101,950

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Physical Scientists, All Others or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Physical Scientists, All Others earn more nationally. The median is $122,570 for Physical Scientists, All Others versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Physical Scientists, All Other 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, Physical Scientists, All Other or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Physical Scientists, All Other 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 Physical Scientists, All Others get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Physical Scientists, All Others at $156,730/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Physical Scientists, All Other vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Physical Scientists, All Others earn $156,730 vs. $101,940 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Physical Scientists, All Other salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Physical Scientists, All Others by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a physical scientists, all otherGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →