SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

$100,590

Median annual salary

156,300 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists professionals earn $38,250 more per year than Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals — that's 61.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $168,210 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$61,860 – $168,210
$47,960$168,210

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesMedical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$61,860$-13,900
25th Percentile$55,220$77,260$-22,040
Median (50th)$62,340$100,590$-38,250
75th Percentile$73,160$133,870$-60,710
90th Percentile$80,510$168,210$-87,700
Mean (Average)$64,150$112,690$-48,540

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

156,300

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Best Cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

CityMedian
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: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,250 (61.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earns $100,590. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS