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The differences between assay development scientists and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an assay development scientist, becoming a laboratory analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assay development scientist has an average salary of $75,782, which is higher than the $44,024 average annual salary of a laboratory analyst.
The top three skills for an assay development scientist include assay development, cell-based assays and data analysis. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.
| Assay Development Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $75,782 | $44,024 |
| Hourly rate | $36.43 | $21.17 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 95,381 | 44,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Assay development scientists are biochemical experts who develop procedures that test or measure the activity of a drug or biochemical in an organism. These scientists are required to provide technical support to develop new assays as well as assist in the transfer of assay to clinical laboratories internationally. They must collaborate with laboratory scientists and managers to optimize laboratory processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Assay development scientists must also produce and submit reports about the development of assays to the research & development (R&D;) managers as well as project managers.
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
Assay development scientists and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assay Development Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Average salary | $75,782 | $44,024 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $113,000 | Between $31,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Genentech | AbbVie |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an assay development scientist and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:
| Assay Development Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between assay development scientists' and laboratory analysts' demographics:
| Assay Development Scientist | Laboratory Analyst | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.1% Female, 47.9% | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 29.0% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |