What are some high paying science jobs that don't require medical school?

I'm interested in pursuing a science career but not super into the idea of medical school. Are there any well-paying science-related jobs that I can do without going to med school?

Absolutely! Many high-paying science jobs don't require medical school. Here are some you might consider:

1. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: While you won't be doing hands-on science per se, you will use your scientific knowledge every day to explain the benefits and risks of drugs to physicians and medical professionals. The median salary is about $80,000.

2. Petroleum Engineer: These engineers evaluate oil and gas reservoirs to determine their profitability. They earn around $130,000 annually, but note that it's heavily dependent on the fluctuations in the oil and gas industry.

3. Geoscientists: They study Earth processes, such as earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, to predict future geological events and minimize their impact on human health and the environment. The average salary is just over $90,000.

4. Bioinformatics Scientist: They use technology and statistics to make sense of biological, especially genetic, data. A background in computer science can be helpful in this role, and the average salary is about $94,000.

5. Environmental Engineer: They work on solving environmental problems using the principles of engineering, biology, and chemistry. The median pay is about $88,000.

6. Physicist/Astronomer: These scientists study the properties of matter and energy or the universe. While many positions do require a PhD, you don't need to go to medical school. And the median pay is quite high—over $120,000.

Remember that "high-paying" is relative and can depend greatly on the specific job, your level of experience and education, the size and type of your employer, and the region in which you work. It's also important to acknowledge that these roles might require a PhD or other specialized training beyond just a bachelor's degree. For some, the science itself may feel less directly involved than in a medical career, but each certainly involves scientific thought and skills!