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The differences between associate principal scientists and researchers 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 researcher. Additionally, an associate principal scientist has an average salary of $112,297, which is higher than the $67,145 average annual salary of a researcher.
The top three skills for an associate principal scientist include data analysis, chemistry and project management. The most important skills for a researcher are python, lab equipment, and C++.
| Associate Principal Scientist | Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $112,297 | $67,145 |
| Hourly rate | $53.99 | $32.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 82,048 | 30,498 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
Associate principal scientists and researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Principal Scientist | Researcher | |
| Average salary | $112,297 | $67,145 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $160,000 | Between $37,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Schrödinger | Renaissance Learning |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between an associate principal scientist and a researcher in terms of educational background:
| Associate Principal Scientist | Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between associate principal scientists' and researchers' demographics:
| Associate Principal Scientist | Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% |
| 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |