How hard is it to get a medical science liaison job?

It is hard to get a medical science liaison job. While this position is in demand, it is hard to get a job because there are fairly stringent requirements to get hired. The medical science liaison is a specialized role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and related healthcare fields, which can make it challenging to get into the role.

How much do medical liaisons make?

Medical science liaisons make an average salary of $170,000 per year. However, this salary varies depending on several factors, including their employer, education, and level of experience.

Is MSL a good career?

Yes, being a medical science liaison (MSL) is a good career. This is a good career option for people in the healthcare field who want to act as a bridge between healthcare companies and physicians.

How To Become A Medical Science Liaison: What It Is and Career Path

What is a medical science liaison and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Amber Watts Ph.D.

Medical science liaisons mediate between medical researchers and healthcare professionals. They provide information about the latest research developments, up-to-date approaches to diseases and their treatments, and results of new clinical trials.

Medical science liaisons attend conferences to present what information they've gathered to pharmaceutical product teams, physicians, and other medical personnel. The job is about finding a market for the latest products of medical development.

Essentially, a medical science liaison's job is translating the language of medical academic research to prospective clients. They work closely with people in the industry and travel a lot. Interpersonal skills and an engaging personality are important in this role, along with the ability to sustain fruitful professional relationships.

What general advice would you give to a medical science liaison?

Amber Watts Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Kansas

Think about what you want your life to look like, not just your job. Your job has to fit into your life. Do you want a fast paced, achievement-oriented job that may require sacrificing hobbies, family, and relationships? Or would you rather have a regular 40 hour a week job that allows you to balance things out a bit? Is money your primary aim or career advancement? Or helping others? Do you want to work in an office at a desk? Work directly with people? Do you mind traveling for the job? These are all things to consider. Don't forget, too, that the other people you work with can often be more important to job satisfaction than the actual work that you do.

ScoreMedical Science LiaisonUS Average

Salary

8.8

Avg. Salary $145,718

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 23.43%

Black or African American 6.32%

Hispanic or Latino 9.55%

Unknown 4.09%

White 56.46%

Gender

female 58.43%

male 41.57%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a medical science liaison

Explore medical science liaison education requirements

Most common medical science liaison degrees

Bachelor's

51.7 %

Doctorate

18.0 %

Master's

11.6 %

Start to develop specific medical science liaison skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	10.65%
Medical Affairs	8.69%
MSL	7.26%
Medical Science	6.33%
Pharmaceutical Industry	4.63%

Complete relevant medical science liaison training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New medical science liaisons learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a medical science liaison based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real medical science liaison resumes.

Research medical science liaison duties and responsibilities

Supervise and analyze medical necessity review of manage care appeals.
Develop and manage KOLs resulting in presentations to regional, national and international meetings.
Utilize extensive knowledge of medical terminology, ICD-9, HCPCS and CPT coding along with analysis and processing of Medicare claims.
Provide pre-launch field support for a novel diabetes compound.

Prepare your medical science liaison resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your medical science liaison resume.

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