Biologist vs senior biologist

The differences between biologists and senior biologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a biologist and a senior biologist. Additionally, a senior biologist has an average salary of $66,143, 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 senior biologist are renewable energy, data collection, and species act.

Biologist vs senior biologist overview

	Biologist	Senior Biologist
Yearly salary	$65,158	$66,143
Hourly rate	$31.33	$31.80
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	5,741	1,650
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	8	8

Biologist vs senior biologist salary

Biologists and senior biologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Biologist	Senior Biologist
Average salary	$65,158	$66,143
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $91,000	Between $45,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Carson City, NV
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Google	Eli Lilly and Company
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between biologist and senior biologist education

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

	Biologist	Senior Biologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of California, Berkeley	Stanford University

Biologist vs senior biologist demographics

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

	Biologist	Senior Biologist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%	Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2%
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, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between biologist and senior biologist 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.

Senior biologist example responsibilities.

Lead teams involve in preclinical toxicity assessment of anticancer NCEs and establishment of GLP compliant toxicology division.
Design a bedbug assay used for GLP testing.
Assist in development of the GPS data dictionaries used for the project.
Participate in the design and implementation of genetic DNA contract research with NCI.
Supervise biologists, radar software engineers, and GIS staff during preparation of the interim and final reports.
Perform biological surveys using handheld GPS units for threaten, endanger and sensitive species, to include botanical species.

Biologist vs senior biologist skills

Common biologist skills

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

Common senior biologist skills

Renewable Energy, 28%
Data Collection, 13%
Species ACT, 10%
Research Projects, 5%
Sops, 4%
Cell-Based Assays, 4%

Biologist vs. similar jobs

Biologist related careers

Biologist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Biologist
Biologist vs Senior Biologist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs