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Contract scientist vs scientist

The differences between contract 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 scientist and a scientist. Additionally, a contract scientist has an average salary of $98,484, which is higher than the $97,344 average annual salary of a scientist.

The top three skills for a contract scientist include technical reports, HPLC and chemistry. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Contract scientist vs scientist overview

Contract ScientistScientist
Yearly salary$98,484$97,344
Hourly rate$47.35$46.80
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs51,77162,467
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Contract scientist vs scientist salary

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

Contract ScientistScientist
Average salary$98,484$97,344
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $141,000Between $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 scientist and scientist education

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

Contract ScientistScientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Contract scientist vs scientist demographics

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

Contract ScientistScientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.2% White, 53.1% 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 scientist and scientist duties and responsibilities

Contract scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage data of project samples through LIMS software.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Present chemistry of current and future targets at team meetings.
  • Coordinate internal blood draws to harvest serum and plasma for future testing.
  • Authenticate structure and purity of compounds by NMR, LCMS, HPLC, and CHN.
  • Complete a proprietary research project in photo-electric chemistry.
  • Show more

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 scientist vs scientist skills

Common contract scientist skills
  • Technical Reports, 12%
  • HPLC, 8%
  • Chemistry, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • Analytical Methods, 8%
  • Western Blotting, 6%
Common scientist skills
  • Chemistry, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Molecular Biology, 4%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Java, 3%

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