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The differences between application scientists and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an application scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, an application scientist has an average salary of $89,939, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for an application scientist include diagnostics, technical support and sample preparation. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $89,939 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $43.24 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 63,314 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The duties of an application scientist vary in one's place of employment. Typically, they are in charge of providing services to customers in their laboratory equipment needs. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients and fellow scientists, providing technical support through appointments and meetings, discussing and explaining conditions, and even test samples in different scientific applications. Furthermore, as an application scientist, it is essential to implement the laboratory's safety policies and regulations to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Application scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $89,939 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $141,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Concord, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Accelrys | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between an application scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between application scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |