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The differences between bioinformaticians and postdoctoral associates 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 postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a bioinformatician has an average salary of $71,359, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a bioinformatician include python, data analysis and next-generation sequencing. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $71,359 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $34.31 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 16,034 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| 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.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Bioinformaticians and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $71,359 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $127,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Branford, CT | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Maine |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatician and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between bioinformaticians' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |