Science
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Median pay
$103,410
Growth to 2035
+13%
faster than average
Openings a year
10,500
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to medical scientists, except epidemiologists
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists: 48% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
- Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
- Write applications for research grants.
Also called: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) · Clinical Pharmacologist · Clinical Research Scientist · Medical Researcher · Physician Scientist · Research Scientist · Researcher · Scientist
Outlook and AI
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists held 181,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 203,700 by 2035 (+13%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Biological scientists, all other
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Biochemists and biophysicists
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Physicians, pathologists
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Microbiologist
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Epidemiologist
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists vs. Psychologists, all other