# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-scientists-except-epidemiologists
- SOC code: 19-1042.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $103,410 (10th percentile $64,800, 90th percentile $177,780)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +12.6%
- Openings a year: 10,500
- Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 54 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 24 |
| Social (S) | 38 |
| Enterprising (E) | 20 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 90/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 87/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 83/100)
- Getting Information (importance 82/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 82/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 81/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 79/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 78/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 77/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Writing, Active Learning, Science, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Biology, English Language, Medicine and Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Education and Training, Administration and Management, Administrative, Physics

## Also called

Anatomist, Cancer Researcher, Chemotherapist, Clinical Analyst, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Pharmacologist, Clinical Research Analyst, Clinical Research Scientist, Clinical Research Specialist, Clinical Researcher

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Biology, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2601) (CIP 2601, 1,703 colleges)
- [Public Health](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5122) (CIP 5122, 836 colleges)
- [Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2602) (CIP 2602, 756 colleges)
- [Anthropology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4502) (CIP 4502, 598 colleges)
- [Neurobiology and Neurosciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2615) (CIP 2615, 363 colleges)
- [Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2613) (CIP 2613, 353 colleges)
- [Research and Experimental Psychology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4227) (CIP 4227, 327 colleges)
- [Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2609) (CIP 2609, 269 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2604) (CIP 2604, 182 colleges)
- [Gerontology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3011) (CIP 3011, 176 colleges)
- [Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5120) (CIP 5120, 175 colleges)
- [Microbiological Sciences and Immunology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2605) (CIP 2605, 169 colleges)
- [Pharmacology and Toxicology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2610) (CIP 2610, 109 colleges)
- [Genetics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2608) (CIP 2608, 91 colleges)
- [Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5114) (CIP 5114, 79 colleges)
- [Biopsychology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3010) (CIP 3010, 28 colleges)
- Molecular Medicine (CIP 2614, 10 colleges)
- Multiple-Pathway Medical Fellowship Programs (CIP 6102, 2 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dartmouth-college-769) | Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $60,266 | $143,067 | not reported |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $142,985 | $21,908 |
| [Long Island University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/long-island-university-1520) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $136,840 | not reported |
| [Carlow University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carlow-university-405) | Biology, General | $42,599 | $134,677 | $26,774 |
| [University of Louisiana at Monroe](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-louisiana-at-monroe-2935) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $134,329 | $13,980 |
| [University of Hawaii at Hilo](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-hawaii-at-hilo-2914) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $80,004 | $131,134 | not reported |
| [Western New England University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-new-england-university-3234) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $129,138 | $19,500 |
| [University of Kansas](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-kansas-2931) | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | not reported | $125,384 | $12,577 |

## Related careers

- [Geneticists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geneticists): $98,920 median pay
- [Biochemists and Biophysicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biochemists-and-biophysicists): $127,410 median pay
- [Physicians, Pathologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicians-pathologists): $312,400 median pay
- [Microbiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microbiologists): $87,990 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Epidemiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/epidemiologists): $87,220 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.