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The differences between behavioral scientists and research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a behavioral scientist has an average salary of $84,521, which is higher than the $42,896 average annual salary of a research assistant.
The top three skills for a behavioral scientist include research projects, statistical analysis and data analysis. The most important skills for a research assistant are patients, lab equipment, and data collection.
| Behavioral Scientist | Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $84,521 | $42,896 |
| Hourly rate | $40.64 | $20.62 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 45,246 | 51,080 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A behavioral scientist specializes in studying human behavior and interactions with various organisms. As a behavioral scientist, they are responsible for conducting studies, planning procedures according to research requirements, gathering and analyzing data, conducting surveys and interviews, and observing subjects. Through their research findings, a behavioral scientist develops conclusions and recommendations significant to the study's purpose. There are also times when they may provide consultations, facilitate seminars, and even help establish various programs. When it comes to employment, a behavioral scientist may work for government agencies, private or public laboratories, and even teach at learning institutions.
Research assistants give support to researchers or other professionals who need assistance as they conduct experiments, studies, or other research projects. Research assistants help in conducting experiments, surveys, or interviews under the supervision of the primary researcher. They also work on research activities such as literature reviews, collect data, assist in interpreting results, prepare designs or visuals for the presentation of the results, and even ensure that all the tools and documentation related to the study are properly organized. They also assist in fact-checking the output and ensure that the data presented are accurate. Research assistants usually possess an academic background that is related to the main research topic.
Behavioral scientists and research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Scientist | Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $84,521 | $42,896 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $137,000 | Between $28,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a behavioral scientist and a research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Scientist | Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Columbia University in the City of New York | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between behavioral scientists' and research assistants' demographics:
| Behavioral Scientist | Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 46.3% Female, 53.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 16.9% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |