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The differences between cancer researchers and postdoctoral associates 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 postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a cancer researcher has an average salary of $73,896, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a cancer researcher include patients, clinical research and clinical trials. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $73,896 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $35.53 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 24,199 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| 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.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Cancer researchers and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $73,896 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $117,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a cancer researcher and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between cancer researchers' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |