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.
What it pays
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn a median of $49.72/hr — about $103,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $31.15/hr; the top 10% earn $85.47/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn a median of $49.72/hr — about $103,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $31.15/hr; the top 10% earn $85.47/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- 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.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 0.6% of medical scientists, except epidemiologists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
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Quick questions
- How much does a medical scientists, except epidemiologist make?
- The median pay is $49.72 per hour — roughly $103,500 a year, with the real range running from about $31.15/hr (10th percentile) to $85.47/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a medical scientists, except epidemiologist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a medical scientists, except epidemiologist actually do all day?
- 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.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.