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The differences between clinical scientists and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a clinical scientist, becoming a microbiologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a clinical scientist has an average salary of $122,388, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a clinical scientist include patients, informed consent and clinical operations. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Clinical Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $122,388 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $58.84 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 96,923 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A clinical scientist's duties depend on their line of work or place of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting experiments and research, gathering and preparing samples such as blood and tissues, analyzing and examining specimens through different processes, reviewing data and results, and coordinating with other scientists to develop medicines or treatments. They may also train new scientists, oversee assistants' performance, and maintain order in a laboratory. Furthermore, a clinical scientist may work in hospitals, clinics, private laboratories, learning institutions, or research facilities.
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Clinical scientists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $122,388 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $94,000 And $157,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Reata Pharmaceuticals | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical scientist and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between clinical scientists' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Clinical Scientist | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.0% Female, 63.0% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |