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Digital specialist vs research specialist

The differences between digital specialists and research specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a digital specialist and a research specialist. Additionally, a digital specialist has an average salary of $61,349, which is higher than the $52,662 average annual salary of a research specialist.

The top three skills for a digital specialist include digital marketing, google analytics and customer service. The most important skills for a research specialist are data collection, patients, and research projects.

Digital specialist vs research specialist overview

Digital SpecialistResearch Specialist
Yearly salary$61,349$52,662
Hourly rate$29.49$25.32
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs58,63379,341
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

What does a digital specialist do?

A digital specialist is responsible for handling digital marketing campaigns and utilizing online marketing tools to promote the company's brand image through various social media platforms, increasing customer engagement, and attracting potential clients for business partnerships. Digital specialists must have excellent knowledge of the current market trends, developing media campaigns to meet public demands and public interests. They also actively respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, as well as resolving common complaints. A digital specialist must be highly communicative and organizational, especially on identifying business opportunities that would bring more revenues and increase the company's profitability.

What does a research specialist do?

In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.

Digital specialist vs research specialist salary

Digital specialists and research specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital SpecialistResearch Specialist
Average salary$61,349$52,662
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $108,000Between $35,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityKearny, NJSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncNovartis
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between digital specialist and research specialist education

There are a few differences between a digital specialist and a research specialist in terms of educational background:

Digital SpecialistResearch Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGraphic DesignBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Georgia

Digital specialist vs research specialist demographics

Here are the differences between digital specialists' and research specialists' demographics:

Digital SpecialistResearch Specialist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 59.8% Female, 40.2%Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between digital specialist and research specialist duties and responsibilities

Digital specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the tier-2 ticketing system and propagate hot topic responses to the SharePoint knowledge base.
  • Develop and post product demos on YouTube, providing quick understanding of functionality to differentiate solutions and generate leads.
  • Make edits to web content as necessary via content management system and html.
  • Re-Design multiple client sites, including art and UX updates, in both stand alone HTML and CMS projects.
  • Update and monitor CRM program on daily basis.
  • Market social media (Facebook) to generate website traffic for campaign reviews and highlights.
  • Show more

Research specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage both GLP and non-GLP studies that are contracted to CROs.
  • Create weekly presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and manage monthly board meetings.
  • Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
  • Assist in surgical procedures on both rabbits and rats to obtain tissue specimens for RNA isolation for subsequent RT-PCR
  • Perform and supervise applied bench scale and pilot scale process research on extraction, distillation, and reaction processes.
  • Perform the timely and accurate execution of CESG protocols, procedures and results within the cloning and crystallography teams.
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Digital specialist vs research specialist skills

Common digital specialist skills
  • Digital Marketing, 16%
  • Google Analytics, 8%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Media Sales, 4%
  • SEM, 4%
  • Social Media Marketing, 4%
Common research specialist skills
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Research Projects, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Molecular Biology, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 4%

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