Medical and life-science researcher salaries across discovery, preclinical and clinical science, by percentile, from U.S. BLS OEWS wage data.
Median (national)
$100,890
Typical range (25th–75th)
$76,690–$133,870
Medical scientists run the research that turns a biological idea into a candidate worth testing in humans — target validation, preclinical pharmacology, translational science and the clinical research that follows. It is the broadest scientific occupation in the sector, spanning bench discovery through clinical development, and the wage band is correspondingly wide. Advanced degrees (PhD, MD, PharmD) are the norm at the higher percentiles.
medical scientist salary, research scientist salary biotech, life science researcher pay and clinical scientist salary.
Figures are national annual wage percentiles from U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2023, national), using the occupational category Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1042) as the closest match — the same source RoleLantern uses for its pay-transparency checks. Release: May 2023. Actual pay varies with location, employer, therapeutic area, seniority and total compensation (bonus and equity). See bls.gov/oes.