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Salary comparison

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss land at $76,780 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: zoologists and wildlife biologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss is Maryland ($107,500); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$76,780
$103,410
Hourly rate
$36.91/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$49,100
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$126,440
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
18,120
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Maryland
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists median pay.

State
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Maryland
$107,500
$106,000
District of Columbia
$107,050
$101,940
California
$98,530
$136,990
Alaska
$90,370
$104,930
Oregon
$85,150
$111,030
Massachusetts
$84,350
$128,210
Washington
$83,780
$105,680
New Jersey
$83,030
$129,280
Montana
$78,850
$101,950
Connecticut
$77,300
$116,990
Missouri
$76,400
$102,540
Tennessee
$73,570
$102,720
New Hampshire
$73,560
$100,650
Arizona
$66,880
$116,820
North Carolina
$64,620
$102,980

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $76,780 for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 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, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 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 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss at $107,500/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss earn $107,500 vs. $106,000 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a zoologists and wildlife biologistsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →