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The average salary for a Medical Investigator in the United States is around $77,976 per year, translating to roughly $37 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
For those looking to maximize their earning potential, certain states offer higher salaries. For example, Medical Investigators in California and New York tend to earn above the national average. The demand for skilled professionals in this field is on the rise, particularly in metropolitan areas where healthcare facilities are rapidly expanding.
In addition to traditional healthcare roles, Medical Investigators may find opportunities in government agencies, law enforcement, and private consulting. These varied roles not only enhance job security but also offer prospects for career advancement. Continuous education and specialization can further improve salary prospects, making this a rewarding career choice for those passionate about medicine and investigation.
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The average medical investigator salary in Alaska, Tennessee, and Maine are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average medical investigator salary states are Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $96,549 | $46.42 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $101,124 | $48.62 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $109,980 | $52.88 |
| 4 | Delaware | $93,867 | $45.13 |
| 5 | Alaska | $127,856 | $61.47 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $112,982 | $54.32 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| 8 | Nevada | $84,578 | $40.66 |
| 9 | Maine | $112,095 | $53.89 |
| 10 | California | $91,915 | $44.19 |
| 11 | Indiana | $99,908 | $48.03 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $89,224 | $42.90 |
| 13 | Montana | $97,073 | $46.67 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $78,949 | $37.96 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $88,191 | $42.40 |
| 16 | Vermont | $92,821 | $44.63 |
| 17 | Arizona | $84,436 | $40.59 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $90,348 | $43.44 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $81,625 | $39.24 |
| 20 | Oregon | $85,966 | $41.33 |
| 21 | Illinois | $78,061 | $37.53 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $82,083 | $39.46 |
| 23 | Arkansas | $72,310 | $34.76 |
| 24 | Idaho | $72,658 | $34.93 |
| 25 | New York | $82,592 | $39.71 |
| 26 | Missouri | $72,735 | $34.97 |
| 27 | Maryland | $83,018 | $39.91 |
| 28 | Virginia | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| 29 | Michigan | $77,513 | $37.27 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $78,584 | $37.78 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| 32 | Colorado | $79,625 | $38.28 |
| 33 | Georgia | $71,887 | $34.56 |
| 34 | Ohio | $75,257 | $36.18 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $71,736 | $34.49 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $74,846 | $35.98 |
| 37 | Washington | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| 38 | Alabama | $67,772 | $32.58 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $69,571 | $33.45 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $69,779 | $33.55 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $64,553 | $31.04 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $73,596 | $35.38 |
| 43 | Texas | $65,036 | $31.27 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $68,931 | $33.14 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $61,253 | $29.45 |
| 46 | Florida | $63,588 | $30.57 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $56,658 | $27.24 |
| 48 | Kansas | $64,589 | $31.05 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $59,046 | $28.39 |
| 50 | Utah | $57,964 | $27.87 |
| 51 | Iowa | $54,583 | $26.24 |
The highest-paying cities for medical investigators are Memphis, TN, Thousand Oaks, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $112,455 | $54.06 |
| 2 | Thousand Oaks, CA | $90,851 | $43.68 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $84,635 | $40.69 |
| 4 | Olympia, WA | $78,774 | $37.87 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor, MI | $77,065 | $37.05 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $65,186 | $31.34 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $64,754 | $31.13 |
A medical investigator's salary ranges from $43,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $141,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $141,000 | $11,750 | $68 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $8,833 | $51 |
| Average | $77,976 | $6,498 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
The highest paying types of medical investigators are medical science liaison, principal scientist, and senior scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | $53,823 | $4,485 | $25.88 | 59,746 |
| Staff Scientist | $93,941 | $7,828 | $45.16 | 121,054 |
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Laboratory Researcher | $27,760 | $2,313 | $13.35 | 57,359 |
| Research Laboratory Manager | $64,333 | $5,361 | $30.93 | 89,981 |
| Research And Development Scientist | $90,278 | $7,523 | $43.40 | 129,803 |
Top companies hiring medical investigators now:
Medical investigator salaries at Yoh and Presbyterian are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average medical investigator salary at companies like University of Michigan and My Florida Regional Mls are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yoh | $130,154 | $62.57 |
| 2 | Presbyterian | $100,044 | $48.10 |
| 3 | University of Michigan | $81,901 | $39.38 |
| 4 | My Florida Regional Mls | $73,556 | $35.36 |
| 5 | University of Arizona Foundation | $73,261 | $35.22 |
| 6 | State of Arizona | $58,266 | $28.01 |
| 7 | State Of Florida | $51,518 | $24.77 |
| 8 | Florida Department of Transportation | $50,979 | $24.51 |
The average medical investigator salary has risen by $13,105 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average medical investigator earned $64,871 annually, but today, they earn $77,976 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for medical investigators over the last decade.
Compare medical investigator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare medical investigator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $78,000 | $37.49 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $75,700 | $36.37 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $72,300 | $34.74 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $69,900 | $33.63 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $68,600 | $32.99 | -2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Florida | Medical Malpractice Investigator | Saint Petersburg, FL | 06/29/2025 | $41,562 |
| Multiplan Inc. | Payment Integrity Coordination of Benefits Medical Investigator | New York, NY | 06/27/2025 | $43,827 |
| State of Florida | OPS Medical Malpractice Investigator | Pensacola, FL | 04/21/2025 | $43,827 |
| University of New Mexico | Deputy Medical Investigator | Albuquerque, NM | 03/11/2025 | $39,256 |
| Myflorida | Medical Malpractice Investigator | Jupiter, FL | 02/24/2025 | $41,562 |
| University of New Mexico | Deputy Medical Investigator | Albuquerque, NM | 02/19/2025 | $39,256 |
| State of Florida | Medical Malpractice Investigator | Miami, FL | 02/17/2025 | $41,562 |
| State of Kansas | Medical Investigator | Shawnee, KS | 01/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| State of Florida | OPS Medical Malpractice Investigator | Jupiter, FL | 01/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Myflorida | OPS Medical Malpractice Investigator | Jupiter, FL | 01/28/2025 | $45,914 |
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