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Medical scientists seek to improve human health by studying viruses, bacteria, and other biological systems that cause disease. The important research conducted by medical scientists can lead to better understanding of how to prevent disease, as well as the improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many medical scientists work independently in hospital, university, or government laboratories, while others work for the private sector, using scientific research to develop new drugs or medical treatments.

Salary information and ranges for medical scientists

The BLS reports that the mean annual wage for medical scientists in 2010 was $86,710. The top 25 percent earned $105,530 annually while the top ten percent saw even higher wages with average earnings of $142,800.

Industries that employ the highest numbers of medical scientists, with average annual wages ranging from $62,180 to $101,900, include scientific research and development services; colleges, universities, and professional schools; and pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing.

Salaries also vary depending on factors like geographic location. The BLS reports the following states as among the top paying for medical scientists, with annual average wage also noted:

• Maine: $115,470
• New Jersey: $115,390
• Illinois: $111,340
• Connecticut: $105,130

The BLS also lists U.S. metropolitan areas with top wages for medical scientists. Of the top 10 metropolitan areas for medical scientist wages, five fall within states that The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) rate within the first- and second-lowest index ranges for cost of living in the United States. Those metropolitan areas, and the annual mean wages for medical scientists in the area, are:

• Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, Fla.: $198,810
• Tallahassee, Fla: $131,520
• Lake County-Kenosha County, Ill.-Wis. Metropolitan Division: $118,700
• Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.: $117,820
• Richmond, Va.: $117,580

Glassdoor.com, a website that gathers career salary information, lists a wide range of wages for medical scientists. Specifically, the site says that medical scientist employers in Cleveland, Ohio offer salaries ranging from $36,000 to $205,000 annually, while a California company reports a salary range of $80,000 to $87,000 annually for medical scientists.

Medical scientist career training and outlook

The BLS reports much faster than average growth for medical scientists in the 2008 to 2018 decade, with a 40 percent increase in employment expected. This growth is partially due to the rapid development of the biotechnology industry, which will continue to play a critical role in the future of medical science.

The minimum education requirement for medical scientists is usually a PhD in biological science. Medical scientists who wish to perform clinical work may also earn medical degrees, and the BLS reports that job opportunities will be best for those with both a PhD and an MD.

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