Post job

Biotechnologist vs professional research assistant

The differences between biotechnologists and professional research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a biotechnologist, becoming a professional research assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a professional research assistant has an average salary of $58,202, which is higher than the $54,160 average annual salary of a biotechnologist.

The top three skills for a biotechnologist include R, GMP and DNA. The most important skills for a professional research assistant are research projects, data collection, and patients.

Biotechnologist vs professional research assistant overview

BiotechnologistProfessional Research Assistant
Yearly salary$54,160$58,202
Hourly rate$26.04$27.98
Growth rate9%19%
Number of jobs10,86291,813
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4038
Years of experience42

Biotechnologist vs professional research assistant salary

Biotechnologists and professional research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

BiotechnologistProfessional Research Assistant
Average salary$54,160$58,202
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $80,000Between $38,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CitySilver Spring, MDWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best paying companyAbbVieSiemens
Best paying industry--

Differences between biotechnologist and professional research assistant education

There are a few differences between a biotechnologist and a professional research assistant in terms of educational background:

BiotechnologistProfessional Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityHarvard University

Biotechnologist vs professional research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between biotechnologists' and professional research assistants' demographics:

BiotechnologistProfessional Research Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 13.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%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 Percentage6%8%

Differences between biotechnologist and professional research assistant duties and responsibilities

Biotechnologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage laboratories and perform clinical research in diabetic and thyroid disease states.
  • Perform standard PCR assays for research group.
  • Purify enzymes using gravity, low pressure liquid chromatography, and AKTA FPLC.
  • Participate in semi-annual proficiency testing for forensic casework (CTS) and proficiency testing for engraftment monitoring (ASHI).
  • Quantify the final product form using solvent extraction and normal phase HPLC.
  • Maintain documentation and batch records in accordance with ISO and CE-IVD regulations.
  • Show more

Professional research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage database of consent patients encompassing patient demographics and samples collect ensuring HIPAA standards are adhere to.
  • Perform extraction of rodent RNA and hybridization onto gene expression arrays.
  • Analyze RNA and protein samples.
  • Experience working with CRISPR technology.
  • Provide technical support for an immunology lab course.
  • Perform PBMC isolation, HbA1C assays, glucose analysis and DNA extraction on whole blood samples.
  • Show more

Biotechnologist vs professional research assistant skills

Common biotechnologist skills
  • R, 23%
  • GMP, 13%
  • DNA, 13%
  • PCR, 12%
  • Assays, 10%
  • Extraction, 10%
Common professional research assistant skills
  • Research Projects, 10%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Professional Research, 4%
  • PI, 3%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs