Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between associate principal 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 associate principal scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, an associate principal scientist has an average salary of $112,297, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for an associate principal scientist include data analysis, chemistry and project management. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Associate Principal Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $112,297 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $53.99 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 82,048 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Associate Principal Scientists are responsible for directing the operations of scientific research.They work with cross-functional teams in elaborating technical specifications, and they provide training and mentorship to staff. An associate principal scientist maintains clients' and projects' confidentiality and learns proactively to keep abreast of technological advancements.Other duties may include resolving conflicts within and between departments, monitoring project timeline and performance, supervising laboratory work, and ensuring accurate scientific report documentation.
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.
Associate principal scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Principal Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $112,297 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $160,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Schrödinger | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between an associate principal scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Associate Principal Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between associate principal scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Associate Principal Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 27.1% White, 52.8% 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% |