How to Become a Medical Science Liaison?

Are you thinking of becoming a Medical Science Liaison or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Medical Science Liaison, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Medical Science Liaison job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Medical Science Liaison

If you're considering starting your Medical Science Liaison career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Medical Science Liaison and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Medical Science Liaison career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Medical Science Liaison career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Medical Science Liaison internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.

What type of degree should you pursue to become a Medical Science Liaison?

65% of people working as a Medical Science Liaison earned a Bachelor's Degree

What skills do you need to be a Medical Science Liaison?

  • PharmD
  • MD PhD
  • DNP
  • Computer Literacy
  • Advanced Degree
  • Observational
  • PharmD PHD
  • Time Management
Based on resume data from Glassdoor users who reported working as a Medical Science Liaison in the United States.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Medical Science Liaison, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Medical Science Liaison field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Medical Science Liaison specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Medical Science Liaison

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Medical Science Liaison. In general, you can become a Medical Science Liaison after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Medical Science Liaison role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified pharmacy technician.
4

Advance in Your Medical Science Liaison Career

Following entry-level, there are several Medical Science Liaison career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Medical Science Liaison to progress to the senior medical science liaison position. Each advanced Medical Science Liaison position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Medical Science Liaison career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Medical Science Liaison career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Medical Science Liaison Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Medical Science Liaison career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Bachelor's Degree typically make $206,246 compared to $119,651 for those without that type of degree.

Medical Science Liaison Career Path

Medical Science Liaison

2 - 4Years of Experience
$137K - $248K /yrMost Likely Range
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65% advanced to

Senior Medical Science Liaison

2 - 4Years of Experience
$135K - $242K /yrMost Likely Range
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Associate Director of Medical Science

5 - 7Years of Experience
$95K - $169K /yrMost Likely Range
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Total Pay Trajectory

Medical Science Liaison Career Path

Medical Science Liaison I
Medical Science Liaison
Senior Medical Science Liaison
Medical Science Liaison Manager
Associate Director of Medical Science
Director of Medical Science
Executive Medical Science Liaison
$80K
$132K
$184K
$236K
$340K

Related Careers in the Healthcare Industry

Interested in other Healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Medical Science Liaison skills. Discover some of the most common Medical Science Liaison career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Physician Advisor
13% skills overlap
16% transitioned to Physician Advisor