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The differences between certifying scientists and research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a certifying scientist and a research scientist. Additionally, a certifying scientist has an average salary of $92,486, which is higher than the $89,998 average annual salary of a research scientist.
The top three skills for a certifying scientist include ms, test results and LC. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.
| Certifying Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $92,486 | $89,998 |
| Hourly rate | $44.46 | $43.27 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 45,588 | 93,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A certifying scientist works at laboratories where they conduct regular evaluations to ensure that operations adhere to standards and regulations. Although their duties may vary upon their company or institution of employment, it usually includes conducting data reviews and assessments, facilitating quality control procedures, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They can also take part in processing samples through various laboratory procedures, conducting experiments, maintaining records, and interpreting analysis results. When it comes to employment, a certifying scientist may work at government agencies, private laboratories, or even become an instructor at universities or colleges.
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
Certifying scientists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certifying Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $92,486 | $89,998 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $146,000 | Between $58,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings | Lyft |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a certifying scientist and a research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Certifying Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between certifying scientists' and research scientists' demographics:
| Certifying Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1% | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 25.3% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |