Medical Scientists Salary by State
The national median pay for medical scientists is $103,410 a year. By state, it ranges from $54,040 in Mississippi to $136,990 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $64,800
- 25th percentile
- $79,840
- Median
- $103,410
- 75th percentile
- $139,380
- Top 10%
- $177,780
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 172,340 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $136,990 | +32% | $81,320 | $180,060 | 29,830 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $129,280 | +25% | $77,540 | $216,650 | 6,120 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $128,210 | +24% | $77,790 | $208,490 | 17,100 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $116,990 | +13% | $68,160 | $187,310 | 2,410 |
| 5 | Arizona | $116,820 | +13% | $70,430 | $154,550 | 2,190 |
| 6 | Oregon | $111,030 | +7% | $69,720 | $205,870 | 1,030 |
| 7 | Maryland | $106,000 | +3% | $71,150 | $172,520 | 6,760 |
| 8 | Washington | $105,680 | +2% | $69,500 | $173,140 | 6,150 |
| 9 | Alaska | $104,930 | +1% | $78,000 | $156,850 | 260 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $103,370 | 0% | $66,370 | $218,940 | 670 |
| 11 | North Carolina | $102,980 | 0% | $63,800 | $171,170 | 5,730 |
| 12 | Tennessee | $102,720 | −1% | $63,500 | $155,100 | 4,020 |
| 13 | Missouri | $102,540 | −1% | $64,160 | $173,480 | 3,650 |
| 14 | Montana | $101,950 | −1% | $63,820 | $139,770 | 320 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $101,940 | −1% | $66,100 | $195,190 | 670 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $100,650 | −3% | $70,090 | $150,030 | 210 |
| 17 | Delaware | $100,190 | −3% | $65,520 | $214,040 | 270 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $99,190 | −4% | $61,490 | $214,690 | 12,630 |
| 19 | Nevada | $98,560 | −5% | $77,990 | $125,100 | 530 |
| 20 | Florida | $94,940 | −8% | $64,630 | $208,090 | 6,490 |
| 21 | Maine | $93,730 | −9% | $62,970 | $216,940 | 100 |
| 22 | Virginia | $93,620 | −9% | $65,540 | $186,810 | 4,560 |
| 23 | Georgia | $92,450 | −11% | $61,640 | $208,000 | 1,910 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $89,950 | −13% | $65,140 | $141,070 | 6,760 |
| 25 | New York | $87,760 | −15% | $67,490 | $177,510 | 7,690 |
| 26 | Kansas | $84,490 | −18% | $62,190 | $219,100 | 1,070 |
| 27 | Michigan | $84,310 | −18% | $63,590 | $144,530 | 2,370 |
| 28 | Ohio | $83,910 | −19% | $60,080 | $173,450 | 4,840 |
| 29 | Iowa | $83,850 | −19% | $59,580 | $142,140 | 1,060 |
| 30 | Idaho | $83,010 | −20% | $59,680 | $288,280 | 380 |
| 31 | Utah | $82,940 | −20% | $65,310 | $139,050 | 1,560 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $82,690 | −20% | $61,950 | $173,900 | 330 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $82,530 | −20% | $62,850 | $128,680 | 2,970 |
| 34 | Illinois | $82,330 | −20% | $59,550 | $143,890 | 4,700 |
| 35 | Indiana | $81,110 | −22% | $63,510 | $151,510 | 2,010 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $80,970 | −22% | $52,330 | $111,020 | 620 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $80,890 | −22% | $59,470 | $127,120 | 140 |
| 38 | Texas | $80,470 | −22% | $63,870 | $144,060 | 11,920 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $77,580 | −25% | $55,320 | $162,590 | 670 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $76,480 | −26% | $60,670 | $140,020 | 920 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $72,530 | −30% | $63,050 | $183,430 | 230 |
| 42 | Alabama | $68,490 | −34% | $51,140 | $135,150 | Not published |
| 43 | New Mexico | $67,100 | −35% | $40,660 | $104,710 | 340 |
| 44 | Vermont | $66,500 | −36% | $66,500 | $115,020 | 110 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $64,470 | −38% | $51,170 | $103,220 | 250 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $54,040 | −48% | $41,360 | $84,350 | 440 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Medical Scientists salary questions
Which state pays medical scientists the most?
California, with a median of $136,990 a year (+32% vs. the national median of $103,410). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays medical scientists the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $54,040 a year (−48% vs. national).
Where do most medical scientists work?
California has the most jobs, about 29,830, with a median of $136,990.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.