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The differences between field scientists and field applications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a field scientist, becoming a field applications specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a field applications specialist has an average salary of $85,614, which is higher than the $76,601 average annual salary of a field scientist.
The top three skills for a field scientist include field testing, data collection and geotechnical. The most important skills for a field applications specialist are technical support, CRM, and customer support.
| Field Scientist | Field Applications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $76,601 | $85,614 |
| Hourly rate | $36.83 | $41.16 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 88,454 | 97,974 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
The duties of a field scientist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In general, their responsibilities typically include conducting studies and scientific research, visiting various sites to observe and gather samples, performing laboratory analyses and experiments, maintaining records of all operations, and coming up with conclusions from the research findings. When it comes to employment opportunities, a field scientist may work for learning institutions, government agencies, and private companies, where they usually work together with other scientists and experts.
A field application specialist is responsible for installing and calibrating instruments and conducting training for customers on how to use and maintain the product. As a field applications specialist, you are expected to prepare a technical report for all products and provide recommendations for improvements. Other duties include identifying and resolving network and desktop issues, providing customers with a detailed solution to their product needs and requirements, and supporting the implementation process in collaboration with the sales department staff.
Field scientists and field applications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Scientist | Field Applications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $76,601 | $85,614 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $111,000 | Between $61,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Enfield, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Syngenta | Bio-Rad Laboratories |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a field scientist and a field applications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Field Scientist | Field Applications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between field scientists' and field applications specialists' demographics:
| Field Scientist | Field Applications Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.5% Female, 27.5% | Male, 67.3% Female, 32.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 11% |