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Salary comparison

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

Sociologistss out-earn Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sociologistss land at $106,030 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: sociologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Sociologistss is Illinois ($140,770); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Sociologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$106,030
$103,410
Hourly rate
$50.98/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$65,160
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$172,550
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
2,260
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Illinois
California

Pay by state

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

State
Sociologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Illinois
$140,770
$82,330
Kentucky
$136,870
$77,580
North Carolina
$126,760
$102,980
California
$125,770
$136,990
Alaska
$108,170
$104,930
Massachusetts
$106,530
$128,210
Maryland
$100,660
$106,000
Washington
$97,170
$105,680
Michigan
$88,040
$84,310
Ohio
$78,850
$83,910
Florida
$46,950
$94,940

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

Common questions

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

Sociologistss earn more nationally. The median is $106,030 for Sociologistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Sociologists 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 Sociologistss get paid the most?

Illinois is the top-paying state for Sociologistss at $140,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Illinois, Sociologistss earn $140,770 vs. $82,330 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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