Medical Scientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Medical Scientists Make?
Medical Scientists earn a median annual salary of $100,590 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $61,860 at the 10th percentile to $168,210 at the 90th percentile — a range of $106,350. The highest-paying state is California at $131,430.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,860 |
| 25th percentile | $77,260 |
| Median (50th) | $100,590 |
| 75th percentile | $133,870 |
| 90th percentile | $168,210 |
Medical Scientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $131,430 |
| Massachusetts | $129,230 |
| Connecticut | $128,140 |
| New Jersey | $127,210 |
| District of Columbia | $110,830 |
| Maine | $107,950 |
| Rhode Island | $104,330 |
| North Carolina | $104,300 |
| Maryland | $103,500 |
| Arizona | $102,250 |
| Washington | $101,140 |
| Alaska | $100,960 |
| Nevada | $100,580 |
| Oregon | $99,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,440 |
| Florida | $98,240 |
| Delaware | $97,640 |
| Missouri | $96,880 |
| Kansas | $96,150 |
| Tennessee | $95,580 |
| Virginia | $95,080 |
| Georgia | $94,320 |
| New Hampshire | $92,490 |
| South Carolina | $87,870 |
| Iowa | $85,010 |
| New York | $84,950 |
| West Virginia | $84,350 |
| Minnesota | $83,450 |
| Michigan | $81,300 |
| Wisconsin | $80,940 |
| Ohio | $79,470 |
| Oklahoma | $79,370 |
| Utah | $78,570 |
| Illinois | $78,430 |
| Texas | $78,410 |
| Indiana | $77,220 |
| South Dakota | $77,070 |
| Colorado | $76,770 |
| Nebraska | $76,030 |
| North Dakota | $75,870 |
| Idaho | $75,580 |
| Kentucky | $73,220 |
| Vermont | $67,410 |
| Montana | $67,120 |
| Alabama | $65,750 |
| Arkansas | $64,730 |
| New Mexico | $60,680 |
| Mississippi | $49,220 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Medical Scientists
Medical Scientist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$61,860 – $77,260 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$100,590 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$133,870 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $168,210+ |
How to Earn More as a Medical Scientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Medical Scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $155,990 — $55,400 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($133,870) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Medical Scientist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientistthis career | $100,590 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | $161,180 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicist | $103,650 |
| Microbiologist | $87,330 |
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SOC: 19-1042.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.