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Salary comparison

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

Physicistss out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by $69K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Physicistss land at $172,250 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: physicist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Physicistss is Florida ($225,390); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Physicists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$172,250
$103,410
Hourly rate
$82.81/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$82,110
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$274,110
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
20,430
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Florida
California

Pay by state

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

State
Physicists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
New Hampshire
$214,030
$100,650
California
$207,490
$136,990
Oregon
$200,320
$111,030
Connecticut
$180,300
$116,990
Maryland
$174,390
$106,000
North Carolina
$174,180
$102,980
Tennessee
$165,010
$102,720
New Jersey
$163,270
$129,280
District of Columbia
$157,040
$101,940
Rhode Island
$155,150
$103,370
Missouri
$140,460
$102,540
Washington
$134,790
$105,680
Arizona
$130,500
$116,820
Massachusetts
$106,410
$128,210
Montana
$103,800
$101,950

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

Common questions

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

Physicistss earn more nationally. The median is $172,250 for Physicistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $69K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Physicists 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 Physicistss get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Physicistss at $225,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Hampshire, Physicistss earn $214,030 vs. $100,650 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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