### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Medical Scientists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			medical scientists imageMedical scientists usually specialize in a area of research, such as neuroscience.							
						Quick Facts:     Medical Scientists2023     Median Pay
            						$100,890     per year
										$48.50     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Doctoral or professional degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    119,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    10% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    11,600What Medical Scientists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Medical scientists typically work in offices and laboratories. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become a Medical Scientist
                                                
                        
Medical scientists typically have a Ph.D., usually in biology or a related life science. Some get a medical degree instead of, or in addition to, a Ph.D.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for medical scientists was $100,890 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of medical scientists is projected to grow							 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 7,500 openings for medical scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical scientists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical scientists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about medical scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Medical Scientists Do 
            

			Medical scientistsMedical scientists study human diseases in a variety of ways, such as by analyzing data from clinical trials.			
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.
Duties
Medical scientists typically do the following:
Design and conduct studies to investigate human diseases and methods to prevent and treat diseases
Prepare and analyze data from medical samples and investigate causes and treatment of toxicity, pathogens, or chronic diseases
Standardize drugs' potency, doses, and methods of administering to allow for their mass manufacturing and distribution
Create and test medical devices
Follow safety procedures, such as decontaminating workspaces
Write research grant proposals and apply for funding from government agencies, private funding, and other sources
Write articles for publication and present research findingsMedical scientists form hypotheses and develop experiments. They study the causes of diseases and other health problems in a variety of ways. For example, they may conduct clinical trials, working with licensed physicians to test treatments on patients who have agreed to participate in the study. They analyze data from the trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
Some medical scientists choose to write about and publish their findings in scientific journals after completion of the clinical trial. They also may have to present their findings in ways that nonscientist audiences understand.
Medical scientists often lead teams of technicians or students who perform support tasks. For example, a medical scientist may have assistants take measurements and make observations for the scientist’s research.
Medical scientists usually specialize in an area of research, with the goal of understanding and improving human health outcomes. The following are examples of types of medical scientists:
***Clinical pharmacologists*** research new drug therapies for health problems, such as seizure disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.
***Medical pathologists***research the human body and tissues, such as how cancer progresses or how certain issues relate to genetics.
***Toxicologists*** study the negative impacts of chemicals and pollutants on human health.
Medical scientists conduct research to better understand disease or to develop breakthroughs in treatment. For information about an occupation that tracks and develops methods to prevent the spread of diseases, see the profile on epidemiologists.
 Work Environment
			Medical scientistsMedical scientists usually work in offices and laboratories.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Medical scientists held about 119,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of medical scientists were as follows:
        Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
                36%Hospitals; state, local, and private
                19Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
                19Medical and diagnostic laboratories
                5Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
                4Medical scientists typically work in offices and laboratories. In the lab, they sometimes work with dangerous biological samples and chemicals. They must take precautions in the lab to ensure safety, such as by wearing protective gloves, knowing the location of safety equipment, and keeping work areas neat.
Work Schedules
Most medical scientists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 How to Become a Medical Scientist

			Medical scientistsMedical scientists typically have a Ph.D. and sometimes are certified medical doctors as well.			
Medical scientists typically have a Ph.D., usually in biology or a related life science. Some get a medical degree instead of, or in addition to, a Ph.D.
Education
Medical scientists typically need a Ph.D. or medical degree. Candidates sometimes qualify for positions with a master’s degree and experience. Applicants to master’s or doctoral programs typically have a bachelor's degree in biology or a related physical science field, such as chemistry.
Ph.D. programs for medical scientists typically focus on research in a particular field, such as immunology, neurology, or cancer. Through laboratory work, Ph.D. students develop experiments related to their research.
Medical degree programs include Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and advanced nursing degrees. In medical school, students usually spend the first phase of their education in labs and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, and medical ethics. During their second phase, medical students typically participate in residency programs.
Some medical scientist training programs offer dual degrees that pair a Ph.D. with a medical degree. Students in dual-degree programs learn both the research skills needed to be a scientist and the clinical skills needed to be a healthcare practitioner.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Medical scientists primarily conduct research and typically do not need licenses or certifications. However, those who practice medicine, such as by treating patients in clinical trials or in private practice, must be licensed as physicians or other healthcare practitioners.
Training
Medical scientists with a Ph.D. may begin their careers in postdoctoral research positions; those with a medical degree often complete a residency. During postdoctoral appointments, Ph.D.s work with experienced scientists to learn more about their specialty area and improve their research skills. Medical school graduates who enter a residency program in their specialty generally spend several years working in a hospital or doctor’s office.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways. In addition, they may write grant proposals in order to get funding for their research.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Medical scientists must use their expertise to determine the best method for approaching research questions.
***Data-analysis skills.*** Medical scientists use statistics to evaluate research questions and information from clinical trials.
***Decision-making skills.*** Medical scientists must determine what research questions to ask, how to investigate the questions, and which data answer the questions.
***Observation skills.*** Medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Medical ScientistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Medical scientists, except epidemiologists$100,890  Life scientists$88,620  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for medical scientists was $100,890 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $168,020.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for medical scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
                $111,610Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
                109,680Medical and diagnostic laboratories
                106,620Hospitals; state, local, and private
                97,910Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
                76,060Most medical scientists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Medical ScientistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Medical scientists, except epidemiologists10%  Life scientists7%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of medical scientists is projected to grow				 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 7,500 openings for medical scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Demand for medical scientists will stem from greater demand for a variety of healthcare services as the population continues to age and rates of chronic disease continue to increase. These scientists will be needed for research into treating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, and problems related to treatment, such as resistance to antibiotics. In addition, medical scientists will continue to be needed for medical research as a growing population travels globally and facilitates the spread of diseases.
The availability of federal funds for medical research grants also may affect opportunities for these scientists.
			

                        Employment projections data for     medical scientists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Medical scientists, except epidemiologists**
			19-1042
			119,000
			130,700
			10
			11,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of medical scientists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Agricultural and Food Scientists**
            Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,400**Biochemists and Biophysicists**
            Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $107,460**Epidemiologists**
            Epidemiologists are public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.
            Master's degree
            $81,390**Health Education Specialists**
            Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $62,860**Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians**
            Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
            Bachelor's degree
            $60,780**Microbiologists**
            Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi.
            Bachelor's degree
            $85,470**Physicians and Surgeons**
            Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            This wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.**Postsecondary Teachers**
            Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
            See How to Become One
            $84,380**Veterinarians**
            Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $119,100
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about research specialties and opportunities within specialized fields for medical scientists, visit
American Association for Cancer Research
American Physician Scientists Association
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
American Society for Clinical Pathology
American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
The Gerontological Society of America
Infectious Diseases Society of America
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Society for Neuroscience
Society of Toxicology

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Scientists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm (visited *May 20, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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