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Salary comparison

Soil and Plant Scientists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Soil and Plant Scientistss by $25K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Soil and Plant Scientistss land at $78,850 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: soil and plant scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Soil and Plant Scientistss is District of Columbia ($107,140); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Soil and Plant Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$78,850
$103,410
Hourly rate
$37.91/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,680
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$138,120
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
15,730
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 Soil and Plant Scientists median pay.

State
Soil and Plant Scientists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
District of Columbia
$107,140
$101,940
Alaska
$100,320
$104,930
New Jersey
$91,970
$129,280
California
$91,930
$136,990
Oregon
$85,150
$111,030
Maryland
$85,020
$106,000
Arizona
$83,840
$116,820
Washington
$79,970
$105,680
North Carolina
$76,330
$102,980
Missouri
$76,080
$102,540
Montana
$73,920
$101,950
Massachusetts
$69,880
$128,210
Connecticut
$67,630
$116,990
Delaware
$65,310
$100,190
Tennessee
$61,950
$102,720

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Soil and Plant Scientistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $78,850 for Soil and Plant Scientistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $25K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Soil and Plant Scientists 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, Soil and Plant Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Soil and Plant Scientists 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 Soil and Plant Scientistss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Soil and Plant Scientistss at $107,140/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Soil and Plant Scientists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Soil and Plant Scientistss earn $107,140 vs. $101,940 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Soil and Plant Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Soil and Plant Scientistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a soil and plant scientistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →