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The differences between bioinformaticians and 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 researcher. Additionally, a bioinformatician has an average salary of $71,359, which is higher than the $67,145 average annual salary of a researcher.
The top three skills for a bioinformatician include python, data analysis and next-generation sequencing. The most important skills for a researcher are python, lab equipment, and C++.
| Bioinformatician | Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $71,359 | $67,145 |
| Hourly rate | $34.31 | $32.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 16,034 | 30,498 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
Bioinformaticians and researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatician | Researcher | |
| Average salary | $71,359 | $67,145 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $127,000 | Between $37,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Branford, CT | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Renaissance Learning |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatician and a researcher in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatician | Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between bioinformaticians' and researchers' demographics:
| Bioinformatician | Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% |
| 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% |