1 | Career Snapshot (2024–25 U.S.)
- What they do: Medical Scientists conduct research aimed at improving human health. They design and carry out clinical trials, analyze biological samples, and develop new drugs, vaccines, and therapies.
- Median annual pay (May 2023): $104,420
- Employment, 2023: ≈ 146,000
- Projected growth, 2022–32: +10% (faster than average)
- Average openings/year: ≈ 10,000
Why demand persists: Ongoing need for new treatments, pandemic preparedness, biotechnology expansion, and an aging population.
2 | Core Responsibilities
3 | Where They Work
- Biopharma & Biotech: Pfizer, Moderna, Gilead, Amgen, Regeneron
- Healthcare Systems: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente
- Government & Non-Profits: NIH, CDC, FDA, World Health Organization, Gates Foundation
- Academia: Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins, Stanford
- Emerging Startups: CRISPR therapeutics, AI-driven biotech firms, personalized medicine labs
4 | Salary Ladder (2025)
5 | Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s in Biology, Chemistry, or Pre-Med: Entry to lab roles
- Ph.D. or M.D.: Required for independent research, principal investigator status, or clinical trial leadership
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Common step toward academic or senior research careers
- Certifications: GCP (Good Clinical Practice), Clinical Research Professional certifications
6 | Core Competencies
- Strong foundation in biology & chemistry
- Data analysis & biostatistics (R, SAS, Python)
- Laboratory techniques (PCR, sequencing, flow cytometry)
- Clinical trial design & regulatory knowledge
- Grant writing & scientific communication
7 | Key Trends (2025–2030)
- AI in Drug Discovery: Faster, cheaper drug development using machine learning
- mRNA Technology Expansion: Building on COVID-19 vaccine success
- Personalized Medicine: Genomics and bioinformatics shaping patient-specific treatments
- Pandemic Preparedness: Vaccine & therapeutic R&D for emerging diseases
- Global Health Initiatives: Growth in NGOs and public-health partnerships
8 | Potential Hiring Companies & Organizations
- Biopharma Leaders: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis
- Biotech Innovators: Illumina, CRISPR Therapeutics, Editas, Beam Therapeutics
- Government: NIH, CDC, FDA, DARPA
- Non-Profits: Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust
- Academic Institutions: Harvard, Johns Hopkins, UCSF
9 | Pivot Pathways
10 | Burnout Buffer
- Rotate between research, teaching, and writing
- Balance academic vs. industry track based on lifestyle priorities
- Seek labs/companies with collaborative culture and funding stability
11 | Is This Career Path Right for You?
If you’re fascinated by solving health challenges, driven to improve patient outcomes, and enjoy both lab work and analysis, a career as a Medical Scientist could be your path.
👉 Find out free: Take the MAPP Career Assessment at Assessment.com to see if medical science aligns with your natural motivations.
