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The differences between biology research assistants and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a biology research assistant and an assistant research scientist. Additionally, an assistant research scientist has an average salary of $62,780, which is higher than the $50,800 average annual salary of a biology research assistant.
The top three skills for a biology research assistant include laboratory equipment, laboratory techniques and cell culture. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Biology Research Assistant | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,800 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $24.42 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 50,666 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A biological research assistant's role is to perform support tasks for biologists and researchers. Their responsibilities typically revolve around organizing samples and research documents, updating databases, reviewing documents, summarizing results into reports and presentations, handling calls and correspondence, coordinating with external parties, and running errands. There are also instances when a biological research assistant prepare laboratories and instruments, cleaning and sanitizing them as needed. Furthermore, one can also perform experiments and analyses under the supervision or directives of a more experienced researcher.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Biology research assistants and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biology Research Assistant | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $50,800 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $78,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Battelle | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a biology research assistant and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Biology Research Assistant | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between biology research assistants' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Biology Research Assistant | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 16.9% White, 52.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |