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The differences between biochemists and associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a biochemist, becoming an associate scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $72,910 average annual salary of a biochemist.
The top three skills for a biochemist include chemistry, immunoassay and elisa. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Biochemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $72,910 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $35.05 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 16,016 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A biochemist is responsible for researching biological processes and the components of organisms to diagnose possible diseases and develop medication solutions for various illnesses and genetic disorders. Biochemists also contribute resources for environmental sustainability that would help the agricultural industry prevent afflictions. They conduct an in-depth analysis of complex projects and manage laboratory investigations while following strict protocols and safety regulations. A biochemist organizes research papers and present studies to other scientists and medical professionals for recommendations or possible further experiments.
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.
Biochemists and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biochemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $72,910 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $110,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Genentech | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a biochemist and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Biochemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between biochemists' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Biochemist | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 17.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |