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The differences between certifying scientists and staff 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 staff scientist. Additionally, a staff scientist has an average salary of $93,941, which is higher than the $92,486 average annual salary of a certifying scientist.
The top three skills for a certifying scientist include ms, test results and LC. The most important skills for a staff scientist are data analysis, research projects, and molecular biology.
| Certifying Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $92,486 | $93,941 |
| Hourly rate | $44.46 | $45.16 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 45,588 | 121,054 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
Certifying scientists and staff scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certifying Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Average salary | $92,486 | $93,941 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $146,000 | Between $63,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings | Etsy |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a certifying scientist and a staff scientist in terms of educational background:
| Certifying Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between certifying scientists' and staff scientists' demographics:
| Certifying Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1% | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% |
| 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, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |