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The differences between bioinformaticians and laboratory researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a bioinformatician and a laboratory researcher. Additionally, a bioinformatician has an average salary of $71,359, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a bioinformatician include python, data analysis and next-generation sequencing. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| Bioinformatician | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $71,359 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $34.31 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 16,034 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Bioinformaticians are experts who are responsible for developing and conducting research by using methods and software tools to collect and analyze complex biological data. By combining their research in biology, medicine, and health-related studies with information technology, these bioinformaticians are required to interpret data that covers areas such as genetics or pharmaceutics. They must develop databases to compile a large amount of information from activities such as gene expression profiling and protein expression. Bioinformaticians must also maintain laboratory documents and keep updated with scientific or medical journals.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Bioinformaticians and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatician | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $71,359 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $127,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Branford, CT | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Maine |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatician and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatician | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between bioinformaticians' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| Bioinformatician | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 39.0% White, 42.2% 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% |