Biologist vs botanist

The differences between biologists and botanists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a biologist, becoming a botanist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a biologist has an average salary of $65,158, which is higher than the $50,491 average annual salary of a botanist.

The top three skills for a biologist include data collection, GPS and renewable energy. The most important skills for a botanist are GPS, plant surveys, and rare plant.

Biologist vs botanist overview

	Biologist	Botanist
Yearly salary	$65,158	$50,491
Hourly rate	$31.33	$24.27
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	5,741	6,922
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	8	2

Biologist vs botanist salary

Biologists and botanists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Biologist	Botanist
Average salary	$65,158	$50,491
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $91,000	Between $33,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Google	Forest
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	-

Differences between biologist and botanist education

There are a few differences between a biologist and a botanist in terms of educational background:

	Biologist	Botanist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of California, Berkeley	University of California - Davis

Biologist vs botanist demographics

Here are the differences between biologists' and botanists' demographics:

	Biologist	Botanist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%	Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 10.3% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between biologist and botanist duties and responsibilities

Biologist example responsibilities.

Train for GLP compliance - manage transition of department to GLP/GCP compliance for CRO accreditation.
Work closely with other project leads to make sure sampling protocols for Chinook, chum and steelhead are followed.
Manage detailed GLP laboratory manual daily.
Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
Conduct data analysis for mark-recapture studies of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead trout abundance.
Train ODA staff in GIS data management and model development, providing document protocols for future GIS use.

Botanist example responsibilities.

Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
Develop and maintain wetland GIS database.
Complete GIS modeling for a number of TES plant species.
Identify and GPS blueberry patches, identify plant, tree and shrub species and create maps.
Organize and participate in elk population helicopter survey, utilizing census data to determine big game harvest values for upper management.
Participate in planning, organizing and coordinating a nation-wide program to provide comprehensive statistical information on marine recreational fisheries.

Biologist vs botanist skills

Common biologist skills

Data Collection, 7%
GPS, 6%
Renewable Energy, 6%
Cell Culture, 5%
GIS, 4%
Technical Reports, 4%

Common botanist skills

GPS, 18%
Plant Surveys, 12%
Rare Plant, 9%
GIS, 9%
Wetland, 8%
Technical Reports, 7%

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Biologist vs Botanist

Updated January 8, 2025

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