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The differences between biology research assistants and professional research assistants 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 a professional research assistant. Additionally, a professional research assistant has an average salary of $58,202, 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 a professional research assistant are research projects, data collection, and patients.
| Biology Research Assistant | Professional Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $50,800 | $58,202 |
| Hourly rate | $24.42 | $27.98 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 50,666 | 91,813 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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.
A professional research assistant works under the supervision of primary researchers leading research projects. Research assistants help the main researchers in different tasks supporting research activities. These tasks vary based on research conducted and their field. The assistants prepare the interview questions and provide a results summary. They respond to emails, participate in project meetings, and prepare progress reports. Skills necessary for this job include communication skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, scheduling, and planning.
Biology research assistants and professional research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biology Research Assistant | Professional Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $50,800 | $58,202 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $78,000 | Between $38,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Siemens |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a biology research assistant and a professional research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Biology Research Assistant | Professional Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between biology research assistants' and professional research assistants' demographics:
| Biology Research Assistant | Professional Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |