Data Scientists vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $12,000 more per year than Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists professionals — that's 11.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $168,210 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$61,860 – $168,210
$61,860$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $61,860 | +$1,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $77,260 | +$5,370 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $100,590 | +$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $133,870 | +$21,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $168,210 | +$26,200 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $112,690 | +$11,900 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
156,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $155,990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $142,540 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,390 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $129,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $128,890 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,000 (11.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries range from $61,860 (10th percentile) to $168,210 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,590.
How many Data Scientists and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 156,300 Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earns $100,590. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS