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.

Also called: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Pharmacologist, Clinical Research Scientist, Medical Researcher, Physician Scientist, Research Scientist, Researcher, Scientist, Study Director, Toxicologist, Anatomist, Cancer Researcher, Chemotherapist, Clinical Analyst, Clinical Research Analyst, Clinical Research Specialist, Clinical Researcher, Clinical Scientist, Cytologist, Endocrinologist, Gerontologist, Histologist, Histopathologist, Immunochemist, Laboratory Scientist (Lab Scientist), Medical Health Researcher, Medical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Lab Scientist), Medical Physicist, Medical Research Scientist, Medical Science Liaison (MSL), Medical Scientist, Neurophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Oncology Medical Science Liaison (Oncology MSL), Parasitologist, Pharmaceutical Botanist, Pharmacognosist, Pharmacologist, Research Specialist, Serologist

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
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.

Skills, machines and equipment

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

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Doctoral Degree (35.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

O*NET Job Zone 5: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

79,840–139,380 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 19-1042.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Doctoral Degree (35.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
O*NET Job Zone 5: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists