Astronomers vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: $129K vs $103K Median Pay

Astronomers vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: what changes?

Consider Astronomers if you want to observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems. Consider Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists if you would rather conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Both list doctoral or professional degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Astronomers and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Astronomers

National median pay (2025): $128,820
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 100

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (2,400 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Astronomers brief

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

National median pay (2025): $103,410
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 10,500

Know before you choose

The helping mission includes documentation, direct care, and safety-critical routines where a missed detail can affect a patient.

See the full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists brief

How the national numbers differ

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the edge on annual openings

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists is at 10,500 annual openings, compared with 100 annual openings for Astronomers.

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the edge on projected growth

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists is at 12.6% projected growth, compared with 7.8% projected growth for Astronomers.

Astronomers has the edge on median pay

Astronomers is at $128,820, compared with $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.

50.6/ 100

Astronomers

70.2/ 100

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence