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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Part of Health Science, in the Biotechnology Research and Development pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-1042.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
  • Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
  • Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
  • Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
  • 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.

What it pays

$77,720
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $60,220
Experienced workers reach $134,270
  1. $60k10th
  2. $65k25th
  3. $78kMedian
  4. $95k75th
  5. $134k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $60,220, 25th $64,570, Median $77,720, 75th $94,700, 90th $134,270

About 750 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+22.9%

employment change in the Alamo region, 699 to 859 jobs · U.S. +9%

52

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 9,600

699

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 165,300

Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Writing4.9
  2. Science5.0
  3. Active Learning5.0
  4. Speaking4.4
  5. Reading Comprehension5.3
  6. Critical Thinking4.8
  7. Active Listening4.3
  8. Judgment and Decision Making4.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Bachelor's degree8%
  2. Master's degree31%
  3. Doctoral or professional61%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

No Alamo program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.

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Does this fit you?

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