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The differences between faculty research assistants and laboratory research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a faculty research assistant and a laboratory research assistant. Additionally, a faculty research assistant has an average salary of $59,697, which is higher than the $36,537 average annual salary of a laboratory research assistant.
The top three skills for a faculty research assistant include research faculty, C++ and biomedical. The most important skills for a laboratory research assistant are data collection, patients, and laboratory equipment.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $59,697 | $36,537 |
| Hourly rate | $28.70 | $17.57 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 56,780 | 87,343 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The main job of a faculty research assistant is to gather and log experimental data. Faculty research assistants analyze the statistical aspect of data sets. They prepare spreadsheets and graphs to portray research results. Their duties and responsibilities include the creation of posters and slides to aid researchers in presenting their findings. They need to develop skills in communication, technical, critical thinking, scheduling, and planning. Also, they must know how to maintain safety, quality, and infection control standards.
A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.
Faculty research assistants and laboratory research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $59,697 | $36,537 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $92,000 | Between $24,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | New York University | |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a faculty research assistant and a laboratory research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between faculty research assistants' and laboratory research assistants' demographics:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Laboratory Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7% | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 52.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |