Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary
The median pay for a medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Topeka, KS is $162,810/year ($78.27/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $219K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.82), which stretches that salary to about $183,303 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,057/month, or 10.7% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $163K get you in Topeka?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Topeka’s Regional Price Parity (88.82). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About medical scientists, except epidemiologists
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What this looks like in Topeka
Topeka sits well above the national pay line for medical scientists, except epidemiologists, local pay runs about 57% higher than the U.S. median of $103K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,057/month, 11.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.82 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Topeka offers a genuinely strong financial position for medical scientists, except epidemiologistss at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in metros near Topeka, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $130K | , |
| St. Louis | $103K | $109K |
| Kansas City | $81K | $88K |
| Oklahoma City | $76K | $84K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Topeka, KS
Entry-level medical scientists, except epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $163K. Top earners bring in $219K or more, a $156K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $137K | +32% | 29,830 |
| New Jersey | $129K | +25% | 6,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128K | +24% | 17,100 |
| Connecticut | $117K | +13% | 2,410 |
| Arizona | $117K | +13% | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $111K | +7% | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $106K | +3% | 6,760 |
| Washington | $106K | +2% | 6,150 |
| Alaska | $105K | +1% | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $103K | -0% | 670 |
| North Carolina | $103K | -0% | 5,730 |
| Tennessee | $103K | -1% | 4,020 |
| Missouri | $103K | -1% | 3,650 |
| Montana | $102K | -1% | 320 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | -1% | 670 |
| New Hampshire | $101K | -3% | 210 |
| Delaware | $100K | -3% | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | -4% | 12,630 |
| Nevada | $99K | -5% | 530 |
| Florida | $95K | -8% | 6,490 |
| Maine | $94K | -9% | 100 |
| Virginia | $94K | -9% | 4,560 |
| Georgia | $92K | -11% | 1,910 |
| Minnesota | $90K | -13% | 6,760 |
| New York | $88K | -15% | 7,690 |
| Kansas | $84K | -18% | 1,070 |
| Michigan | $84K | -18% | 2,370 |
| Ohio | $84K | -19% | 4,840 |
| Iowa | $84K | -19% | 1,060 |
| Idaho | $83K | -20% | 380 |
| Utah | $83K | -20% | 1,560 |
| West Virginia | $83K | -20% | 330 |
| Wisconsin | $83K | -20% | 2,970 |
| Illinois | $82K | -20% | 4,700 |
| Indiana | $81K | -22% | 2,010 |
| Nebraska | $81K | -22% | 620 |
| South Dakota | $81K | -22% | 140 |
| Texas | $80K | -22% | 11,920 |
| Kentucky | $78K | -25% | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $76K | -26% | 920 |
| Arkansas | $73K | -30% | 230 |
| Alabama | $68K | -34% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $67K | -35% | 340 |
| Vermont | $67K | -36% | 110 |
| North Dakota | $64K | -38% | 250 |
| Mississippi | $54K | -48% | 440 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Topeka numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a medical scientists, except epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Topeka?
Yes — at the median salary of $163K, rent takes 11.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,057/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Topeka?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new medical scientists, except epidemiologists typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,784/month. At HUD’s $1,057/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is medical scientists, except epidemiologist a high-paying job in Topeka?
Local pay is 57% above the national median — $163K here vs. $103K nationally.
How does Topeka compare to the national average for medical scientists, except epidemiologists?
Topeka pays $163K median vs. the U.S. average of $103K — that’s +57%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.82), the purchasing-power equivalent is $183K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in Topeka, KS?
The median is $162,810 a year, that works out to about $78 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,060, and experienced medical scientists, except epidemiologists can clear $219,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $163K enough to live in Topeka?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,451/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,057/month, which eats 11.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary go in Topeka?
Topeka has a Regional Price Parity of 88.82 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary is worth about $183,303 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical scientists, except epidemiologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.