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The differences between faculty research assistants and student 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 student research assistant. Additionally, a faculty research assistant has an average salary of $59,697, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.
The top three skills for a faculty research assistant include research faculty, C++ and biomedical. The most important skills for a student research assistant are lab equipment, student research, and data collection.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $59,697 | $27,475 |
| Hourly rate | $28.70 | $13.21 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 56,780 | 59,758 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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 student research assistant is responsible for supporting the school's research department on conducting various research tasks using the techniques and resources provided by the supervising faculty. Student research assistants collect and verify research data, interpret and document findings using research methodologies, organize and prepare research materials, write research reports, and provide recommendations to improve research strategies and techniques. A student research assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and be a fast-learner to interpret data within a specific time.
Faculty research assistants and student research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $59,697 | $27,475 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $92,000 | Between $19,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Fairbanks, AK |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a faculty research assistant and a student research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between faculty research assistants' and student research assistants' demographics:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Student Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7% | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% |
| 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, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |