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The differences between bioinformatics scientists and research technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a bioinformatics scientist and a research technician. Additionally, a bioinformatics scientist has an average salary of $91,530, which is higher than the $43,034 average annual salary of a research technician.
The top three skills for a bioinformatics scientist include python, next-generation sequencing and data analysis. The most important skills for a research technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $91,530 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $44.00 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 57,026 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A bioinformatics scientist specializes in studying biology while utilizing their expertise in computer science. Their responsibilities revolve around developing databases and software for biological advances, improving existing applications as needed, coordinating with different scientists and professionals, and maintaining extensive records of all research and transactions. It is essential to review all data, identify issues, troubleshoot, and perform corrective measures as needed. In a company setting, a bioinformatics scientist must create progress reports and presentations, all while adhering to the company's vision, mission, and goals.
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Bioinformatics scientists and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $91,530 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $129,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatics scientist and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between bioinformatics scientists' and research technicians' demographics:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.9% Female, 18.1% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 38.6% White, 42.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |