What Does a Medical Scientist Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a medical scientist do?

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health, using clinical trials and other investigative methods. The median pay is $103,410 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5–8 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +12.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$103,410
$49.72/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+12.6%
2025–35, much faster than average
Openings per year
10,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS classification
Time to train
5–8 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
181,000
Employment, 2025

What medical scientists do

Medical scientists find new ways to treat disease. They study diseases in the lab, develop and test drugs and therapies, design clinical trials, analyze results and publish findings at universities, hospitals and pharma companies.

Most have a Ph.D., and some have an M.D. or both. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Design studies
Run lab experiments
Design clinical trials
Analyze data
Write grants
Publish findings
Lead research teams

Work environment and schedule

Medical scientists work in labs, hospitals and offices.

Schedule: Full time, often long hours around deadlines.

A day in the life

8:00 AMReview trial enrollment.
9:30 AMLab meeting.
11:00 AMAnalyze drug response data.
1:00 PMMeet clinicians.

See a full day in the life of a medical scientist →

Medical Scientist salary

Half of medical scientists earned more than $103,410 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $64,800 for the lowest 10% to $177,780 for the top 10%.

$64,80010th$103,410Median$177,78090th

Full medical scientist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a medical scientist

Earn a science bachelor’s
Earn a Ph.D. or M.D.
Complete a postdoc
Win grants
Lead research

A Ph.D. or M.D. (or both) is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a medical scientist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Research design
Lab techniques
Clinical trial design
Biostatistics
Grant writing

People skills

Persistence
Leadership
Communication
Integrity

All medical scientist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Faster-than-average growth
High pay
Medical impact
Intellectual challenge

Cons

Very long training
Grant pressure
Slow progress
Competitive

Certifications and licenses

Ph.D. or M.D.: Required for most roles.
GCP training: Good clinical practice.
Human subjects training: Required.
Postdoctoral training: Common.

Career path

Postdoctoral Fellow: Training.
Research Scientist: Lead projects.
Principal Investigator: Lead lab.
Research Director: Lead programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Medical Scientist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a specific aims page and design a phase I trial, safety and how to land your first job.

View Medical Scientist training Is this career right for me?

Biochemist

Study the chemistry of living things to develop medicines and new technologies.

$127,410
5–6 years after a bachelor’s

Epidemiologist

Track diseases and find out what causes them to protect public health.

$87,220
2 years after a bachelor’s

Physician Assistant

Examine, diagnose and treat patients as part of a physician-led team.

$135,880
About 6–7 years after high school

Biological Technician

Run experiments and lab work that power biology and biotech research.

$57,510
4 years

Compare: Medical Scientist vs. Biochemist · Medical Scientist vs. Epidemiologist · Medical Scientist vs. Physician Assistant · Medical Scientist vs. Biological Technician

Medical Scientist FAQ

Do medical scientists need an M.D.?

Not always; many have a Ph.D.

Is the field growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

How long is training?

Often 8 or more years after college.

How much does a medical scientist make?

The median annual wage for medical scientists was $103,410 ($49.72 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $64,800 and the highest 10% earned more than $177,780.

How long does it take to become a medical scientist?

Most people need about 5–8 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. or M.D. (or both) is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a medical scientist?

Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-1042 (Medical scientists, except epidemiologists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Medical scientists, except epidemiologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Medical Scientist