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The differences between cancer researchers and laboratory researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a cancer researcher and a laboratory researcher. Additionally, a cancer researcher has an average salary of $73,896, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a cancer researcher include patients, clinical research and clinical trials. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| Cancer Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $73,896 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $35.53 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 24,199 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A cancer researcher is a medical scientist who devotes their time working at laboratories to study and discover ways to diagnose and treat cancer, saving countless people's lives in the process. Their duties usually include gathering and analyzing samples through basic or complex laboratory processes, studying existing cases from people of all ages, organizing specimens and instruments, coordinating with fellow experts, conducting experiments, and maintaining extensive records. Moreover, as a cancer researcher, it is essential to keep an open communication line with fellow researchers, collaborating efforts for a smooth workflow.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Cancer researchers and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cancer Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $73,896 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $117,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a cancer researcher and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| Cancer Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between cancer researchers' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| Cancer Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |