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The differences between associate scientists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an associate scientist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for an associate scientist include chemistry, patients and cell culture. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Associate Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $76,461 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $36.76 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 54,950 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Associate scientists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $76,461 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $109,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Phillips 66 | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between an associate scientist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Associate Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between associate scientists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Associate Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| 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, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |