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The differences between field applications scientists and research scientists 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 research scientist. Additionally, a field applications scientist has an average salary of $101,706, which is higher than the $89,998 average annual salary of a research scientist.
The top three skills for a field applications scientist include post sales, next-generation sequencing and pre sales. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.
| Field Applications Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $101,706 | $89,998 |
| Hourly rate | $48.90 | $43.27 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 105,557 | 93,013 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
Field applications scientists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Applications Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $101,706 | $89,998 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $142,000 | Between $58,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | 10x Genomics | Lyft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a field applications scientist and a research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Field Applications Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between field applications scientists' and research scientists' demographics:
| Field Applications Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.0% Female, 33.0% | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |