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The differences between bioinformatics scientists and senior scientists 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 senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $91,530 average annual salary of a bioinformatics scientist.
The top three skills for a bioinformatics scientist include python, next-generation sequencing and data analysis. The most important skills for a senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $91,530 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $44.00 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,026 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| 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 senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Bioinformatics scientists and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $91,530 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $129,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatics scientist and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between bioinformatics scientists' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.9% Female, 18.1% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |