Biochemists and Biophysicists vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: $127K vs $103K Median Pay

Biochemists and Biophysicists vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: what changes?

Consider Biochemists and Biophysicists if you want to study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. 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 Biochemists and Biophysicists 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

Biochemists and Biophysicists

National median pay (2025): $127,410
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: Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Biochemists and Biophysicists 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 2,900 annual openings for Biochemists and Biophysicists.

Biochemists and Biophysicists has the edge on median pay

Biochemists and Biophysicists is at $127,410, compared with $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the edge on projected growth

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists is at 12.6% projected growth, compared with 12.3% projected growth for Biochemists and Biophysicists.

64.4/ 100

Biochemists and Biophysicists

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

Biochemists and Biophysicists vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Dimension	Biochemists and Biophysicists	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median pay (2025)	$127,410	$103,410
Pay percentile	91.3 percentile	85.1 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	12.3%	12.6%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	2,900	10,500
2025 employment	35,200	181,000
How you qualify	Doctoral or professional degree	Doctoral or professional degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 5	Job Zone 5
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Biochemists and Biophysicists brief Read Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists brief

Biochemists and Biophysicists vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

How the national numbers differ

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the edge on annual openings

Biochemists and Biophysicists has the edge on median pay

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists has the edge on projected growth

Biochemists and Biophysicists vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

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