Types of scientists, and how to become each one

Sixteen fields with their entry route and official US pay. Bars show the middle half of wages, and the yellow tick marks the median.

Life sciences

Biologist $99k Biochemist $127k Microbiologist $88k Marine biologist $77k

Health research

Neuroscientist $103k Epidemiologist $87k

Physical sciences

Chemist $91k Materials scientist $118k Physicist $172k Astronomer $129k

Earth and environment

Environmental scientist $82k Geologist $102k Atmospheric scientist $99k

Applied science

Forensic scientist $72k Food scientist $89k Computer research scientist $140k

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, retrieved 2026-11-03. Scale runs from $30k to $280k. About our sources