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Contract research scientist vs scientist

The differences between contract research scientists and 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 contract research scientist and a scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $90,721 average annual salary of a contract research scientist.

The top three skills for a contract research scientist include analytical techniques, R and HPLC. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Contract research scientist vs scientist overview

Contract Research ScientistScientist
Yearly salary$90,721$97,344
Hourly rate$43.62$46.80
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs93,12462,467
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Contract research scientist vs scientist salary

Contract research scientists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract Research ScientistScientist
Average salary$90,721$97,344
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $132,000Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City-Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Airbnb
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between contract research scientist and scientist education

There are a few differences between a contract research scientist and a scientist in terms of educational background:

Contract Research ScientistScientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Contract research scientist vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between contract research scientists' and scientists' demographics:

Contract Research ScientistScientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between contract research scientist and scientist duties and responsibilities

Contract research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Test 50 breast expanders and submit results for FDA 5-10k approval.
  • Perform solution and standard prep, Agilent HPLC impurities identification, dissolution assay using VanKel (USP App.
  • Develop, validate and implement robust methods for pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity (ADA) and immunodepletion ELISAs, and cell based-bioassays.
  • Interpret metabolism data and review reports to support strategies forward thinking with a specialization in drug metabolism and metabolic enzymes.

Scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
  • Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
  • Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Show more

Contract research scientist vs scientist skills

Common contract research scientist skills
  • Analytical Techniques, 24%
  • R, 22%
  • HPLC, 15%
  • Analytical Support, 14%
  • Harvest, 13%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
Common scientist skills
  • Chemistry, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Molecular Biology, 4%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Java, 3%

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