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The differences between field applications scientists 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 field applications scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a field applications scientist has an average salary of $101,706, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a field applications scientist include post sales, next-generation sequencing and pre sales. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Field Applications Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $101,706 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $48.90 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 105,557 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A field application scientist is responsible for assisting with customers' inquiries and concerns on scientific tools and laboratory equipment and machinery. Field application scientists guide the customers on proper usage of the equipment, as well as its maintenance and other related functions. They also create designs for experiment materials, running diagnostic tests, and writing specifications accurately. A field application scientist processes the installation of scientific equipment and manages feature upgrades to boost optimal performance and adhere to the customers' needs and demands.
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.
Field applications scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Applications Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $101,706 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $142,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | 10x Genomics | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a field applications scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Field Applications Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between field applications scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Field Applications Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.0% Female, 33.0% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 25.4% White, 54.5% 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% |