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Genetic scientist vs genetic engineer

The differences between genetic scientists and genetic engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a genetic scientist, becoming a genetic engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a genetic engineer has an average salary of $96,906, which is higher than the $86,662 average annual salary of a genetic scientist.

The top three skills for a genetic scientist include next-generation sequencing, molecular biology and RNA. The most important skills for a genetic engineer are R, , and .

Genetic scientist vs genetic engineer overview

Genetic ScientistGenetic Engineer
Yearly salary$86,662$96,906
Hourly rate$41.66$46.59
Growth rate17%10%
Number of jobs44,17922,544
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4138
Years of experience42

Genetic scientist vs genetic engineer salary

Genetic scientists and genetic engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Genetic ScientistGenetic Engineer
Average salary$86,662$96,906
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $125,000Between $74,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying company23andMe-
Best paying industry--

Differences between genetic scientist and genetic engineer education

There are a few differences between a genetic scientist and a genetic engineer in terms of educational background:

Genetic ScientistGenetic Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Genetic scientist vs genetic engineer demographics

Here are the differences between genetic scientists' and genetic engineers' demographics:

Genetic ScientistGenetic Engineer
Average age4138
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 27.9% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%13%

Differences between genetic scientist and genetic engineer duties and responsibilities

Genetic scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Create PCR assays by selecting primers, enzymes, establishing thermo-cycler protocols, and verifying results through electrophoresis and DNA ladders.
  • Key activities include process chemistry development, synthesis of intermediates, compound purification and structure identification, and comprehensive scientific documentation.
  • Evaluate patient samples to identify biomarkers providing the development of asthma patient stratification methods.

Genetic engineer example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish QA of inspector worksheets during shipboard inspection, and generate certification report for government approval.
  • Attend the 3rd iGEM, a synthetic biology competition for worldwide undergraduates hold in MIT every November.
  • Propose and implement an architecture with significantly improve availability characteristics.
  • Propose and implement an architecture with significantly improve availability characteristics.

Genetic scientist vs genetic engineer skills

Common genetic scientist skills
  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 25%
  • Molecular Biology, 19%
  • RNA, 12%
  • QC, 9%
  • Biological Sciences, 8%
  • Cell Culture, 7%
Common genetic engineer skills
  • R, 100%

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