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The differences between fellows and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a fellow and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a fellow has an average salary of $66,364, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a fellow include patients, professional development and veterans. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $66,364 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $31.91 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 7,459 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Fellows and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $66,364 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $93,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oak Ridge, TN | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | Maine |
| Best paying company | Peterson Institute for International Economics | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Education |
There are a few differences between a fellow and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between fellows' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |