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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Other titles employers use
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) · Clinical Pharmacologist · Clinical Research Scientist · Medical Researcher · Physician Scientist · Research Scientist · Researcher · Scientist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Biology
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.7 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 67%
- A master's degree 25%
- A four-year degree 8%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Analytical or scientific software
- Operating system software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Development environment software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Geographic information system
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 26,200
- Job openings each year
- 1,560
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 26,200 | 1,560 | 14.4% |
| Texas | 10,350 | 670 | 23.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 9,140 | 530 | 11.1% |
| New York | 8,790 | 130 | 16.6% |
| Washington | 8,520 | 760 | 28.1% |
| Maryland | 7,600 | 460 | 14.5% |
| Massachusetts | 6,490 | 370 | 8.9% |
| New Jersey | 6,090 | 350 | 9.7% |
| Minnesota | 5,680 | 330 | 11.4% |
| Illinois | 4,910 | 270 | 7.7% |
| Tennessee | 4,530 | 260 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 4,220 | 270 | 20.2% |
| North Carolina | 3,370 | 220 | 21.7% |
| Colorado | 2,950 | 200 | 28.8% |
| Wisconsin | 2,730 | 170 | 21.9% |
| Michigan | 2,590 | 150 | 9.3% |
| Connecticut | 2,160 | 130 | 18.0% |
| Virginia | 1,880 | 110 | 9.3% |
| Utah | 1,850 | 130 | 35.0% |
| Oregon | 1,770 | 110 | 20.4% |
| Alabama | 1,560 | 90 | 15.6% |
| Arizona | 1,460 | 90 | 19.7% |
| Ohio | 1,400 | 80 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 1,200 | 80 | 20.0% |
| Indiana | 1,200 | 70 | 11.1% |
| Kansas | 940 | 50 | 9.3% |
| Iowa | 850 | 50 | 18.1% |
| District of Columbia | 670 | 40 | 8.1% |
| Nebraska | 650 | 40 | 6.6% |
| South Carolina | 650 | 40 | 18.2% |
| Idaho | 590 | 40 | 20.4% |
| Delaware | 570 | 30 | 5.6% |
| Rhode Island | 570 | 30 | 7.5% |
| Kentucky | 510 | 30 | 13.3% |
| Oklahoma | 420 | 20 | 5.0% |
| New Hampshire | 370 | 20 | 12.1% |
| Mississippi | 350 | 20 | 16.7% |
| New Mexico | 340 | 20 | 21.4% |
| Montana | 330 | 20 | 17.9% |
| Arkansas | 290 | 20 | 20.8% |
| West Virginia | 260 | 10 | 4.0% |
| Maine | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Nevada | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| South Dakota | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Alaska | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| North Dakota | 80 | 10 | 33.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Louisiana | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Vermont | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | 100.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 2,042
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 976
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 2,154
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 2,491
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Arizona
- Degrees each year
- 1,225
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Brigham Young University
- Degrees each year
- 1,195
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Degrees each year
- 1,086
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 1,812
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Compare every college offering combined medical residency/fellowship programs