Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cell biologists and research biologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a cell biologist and a research biologist. Additionally, a research biologist has an average salary of $69,719, which is higher than the $68,698 average annual salary of a cell biologist.
The top three skills for a cell biologist include molecular biology, data analysis and cell-based assays. The most important skills for a research biologist are laboratory equipment, research projects, and molecular biology.
| Cell Biologist | Research Biologist | |
| Yearly salary | $68,698 | $69,719 |
| Hourly rate | $33.03 | $33.52 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 24,079 | 52,799 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A cell biologist specializes in studying cell structures and their interactions with biological organisms. They primarily work at laboratories where their responsibilities usually include conducting extensive research, gathering and analyzing samples through various laboratory procedures, performing experiments, and maintaining detailed records of all operations. Through their research findings, a cell biologist may produce publications or utilize the results for developing pharmaceutical products or treatments. When it comes to employment, a cell biologist may work for government agencies, private or public laboratories, and even teach at colleges or universities.
A research biologist is a scientist who works in the outdoors, laboratories, and offices to study the natural elements so that they can better understand how living organisms work. Research biologists must design experiments for various research projects conducted under standard operating procedures and good laboratory practice guidelines. They are required to supervise lab technicians and veterinary medicine students in their respective research projects and studies. Research biologists must also provide support for clinical research protocols through laboratory procedures and protocols.
Cell biologists and research biologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cell Biologist | Research Biologist | |
| Average salary | $68,698 | $69,719 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $102,000 | Between $50,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Juneau, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a cell biologist and a research biologist in terms of educational background:
| Cell Biologist | Research Biologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between cell biologists' and research biologists' demographics:
| Cell Biologist | Research Biologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.2% Female, 58.8% | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 17.7% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 15.7% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |