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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $103,410 Median per year · $49.72/hr Most earn $64,800–$177,780

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
  • Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
  • Write applications for research grants.
  • Study animal and human health and physiological processes.
  • Study animal and human health and physiological processes.
  • Use equipment such as atomic absorption spectrometers, electron microscopes, flow cytometers, or chromatography systems.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
13% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 10,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences31.8%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools20.7%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals20.0%
  • Medical and diagnostic laboratories6.0%
  • Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing3.9%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

On-siteExperience before this job: 6 to 8 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 6 to 8 years

Medical Scientist is not an entry-level job. Most people need a doctoral or professional degree, and the typical path takes roughly 6 to 8 years of related work and training after college before they reach this role.

  1. Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or a related science

    4 years

    You learn the basics of biology and lab methods, and you can start looking for research jobs as an undergraduate.

  2. Research Technician

    1-2 years

    You run experiments, keep careful lab records, and learn the equipment and techniques that research projects depend on.

  3. Doctoral degree (PhD or MD/PhD)

    4-6 years

    You design and carry out your own research project, usually followed by one or more postdoctoral research positions to build experience.

  4. Medical Scientist

    Ongoing

    You lead clinical or laboratory research on human diseases and health, and you may publish findings, apply for grants, and manage other researchers.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Medical Scientist

    5-8 years of experience first

    You take on bigger projects, mentor junior scientists, and have more say over the direction of research.

  2. Principal Investigator

    5-10 years of experience first

    You lead your own research group, secure funding, and set the research agenda for a lab or study.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and advanced mathThese classes build the foundation you will need for a science degree and later graduate study.
  • Join a science club or science fairWorking on a project from question to results teaches you how real research is done.
  • Volunteer at a hospital or health clinicYou will see how medical research connects to patient care and can decide if that setting interests you.
  • Get a starter job that builds reliabilityA part-time job, such as at a store or restaurant, builds the responsibility and communication skills that research teams rely on.

In college

  • Major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistryThese majors give you the core science knowledge needed for graduate programs in medical research.
  • Work as an undergraduate research assistantWorking in a professor's lab gives you hands-on experience and often leads to strong recommendation letters.
  • Apply for a summer research program at a universityMany schools run summer lab programs for students, which can help you see what graduate research involves.
  • Join a pre-health or science student organizationThese groups bring together students interested in medicine and research and often share internship and research opportunities.
  • Take statistics and a coding courseData analysis is central to modern medical research, and these skills make you a stronger candidate for graduate school.

Tips for getting started

  • Get lab experience early. Volunteering or working in a university or hospital research lab shows you whether you enjoy daily research work.
  • Pay attention to your math, chemistry, and biology grades. Strong science skills make graduate programs and research jobs much easier to get.
  • Learn to write clearly and present your ideas. Scientists spend a lot of time writing papers and grant applications, and these skills matter at every stage.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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