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The differences between biologists and doctors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a doctor has an average salary of $208,582, which is higher than the $65,158 average annual salary of a biologist.
The top three skills for a biologist include data collection, GPS and renewable energy. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.
| Biologist | Doctor | |
| Yearly salary | $65,158 | $208,582 |
| Hourly rate | $31.33 | $100.28 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 5,741 | 14,571 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 40 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 8 | - |
A biologist is a specialized scientist focusing on studying living organisms and their relationship to the existing ecosystem. Biologists spend lots of time doing research and validating theories to support the complexity of the living matter. In some cases, biologists could also be out in the field rather than staying in a laboratory to collect biological specimens to justify their findings and create reports from their scientific investigations. Biologists also often communicate with government entities and private industries to provide recommendations on preserving the ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.
Biologists and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biologist | Doctor | |
| Average salary | $65,158 | $208,582 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $91,000 | Between $106,000 And $408,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Green Bay, WI |
| Highest paying state | New York | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Saint Luke's Health System | |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a biologist and a doctor in terms of educational background:
| Biologist | Doctor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medicine |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | Duke University |
Here are the differences between biologists' and doctors' demographics:
| Biologist | Doctor | |
| Average age | 40 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6% | Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2% |
| 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, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 13% |