Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
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.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 49% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +12.6% by 2035, much faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $103,410
- Job growth to 2035
- +12.6%
- Openings a year
- 10,500
- People doing it (2025)
- 181,000
- Usual route in
- Doctorate or professional degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Research biological or ecological phenomena
- Present research or technical information
- Teach academic or vocational subjects
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
- Develop research plans or methodologies
- Direct scientific or technical activities
What the work looks like
- 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.
- Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- More of these jobs, as more research is needed to effectively combat the adverse health consequences of diseases as advances in health technology improve the ability to discover, identify, and understand new cures and treatments.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Biochemists and biophysicistsGrows with AI, Index 65, +12.3%
- Health specialties teachers, postsecondaryGrows with AI, Index 53, +17.9%
- EpidemiologistsGrows with AI, Index 65, +18.7%
- Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatricHuman edge, growing, Index 72, +4.0%
Also known as: Clinical Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist, Study Director, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Pharmacologist, Medical Researcher, Physician Scientist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.