Medical Scientist Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $154,892 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $151,894 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $141,901 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $137,903 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $131,908 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $129,909 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $127,910 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $124,912 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $121,915 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $114,919 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $114,919 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $113,920 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $111,922 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $109,923 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $109,923 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $107,924 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $104,926 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $104,926 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $101,929 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $101,929 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $99,930 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $99,930 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $98,931 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $98,931 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $97,931 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $94,934 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $94,934 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $92,935 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $92,935 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $92,935 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $91,936 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $91,936 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $90,936 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $89,937 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $87,938 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $87,938 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $87,938 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $87,938 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $87,938 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $87,938 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $86,939 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $86,939 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $86,939 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $85,940 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $84,940 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $84,940 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $83,941 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $82,942 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $82,942 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $79,944 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $77,945 | -22.0% | High |
A Medical Scientist's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Medical Scientists typically earn $58,616–$81,722 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $133,711–$154,900 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Medical Scientist role currently has high demand in the job market with a 4.8% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Science sector.
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What is the average salary for a Medical Scientist?The average salary for a Medical Scientist in the United States is $99,930 per year, with a median of $95,310.
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What is the starting salary for a Medical Scientist?Entry-level Medical Scientists typically earn between $58,616 and $81,722 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Medical Scientists the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Medical Scientists the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Medical Scientist make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $99,930, a Medical Scientist earns approximately $48.04 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Medical Scientist a good career in 2026?Yes — the Medical Scientist role has high demand with 4.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.