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Genetic scientist vs medical science liaison

The differences between genetic scientists and medical science liaisons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a genetic scientist and a medical science liaison. Additionally, a medical science liaison has an average salary of $145,718, 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 medical science liaison are patients, medical affairs, and MSL.

Genetic scientist vs medical science liaison overview

Genetic ScientistMedical Science Liaison
Yearly salary$86,662$145,718
Hourly rate$41.66$70.06
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs44,17957,208
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Genetic scientist vs medical science liaison salary

Genetic scientists and medical science liaisons have different pay scales, as shown below.

Genetic ScientistMedical Science Liaison
Average salary$86,662$145,718
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $125,000Between $59,000 And $359,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAJackson, TN
Highest paying stateCaliforniaTennessee
Best paying company23andMeSaint Luke's Health System
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between genetic scientist and medical science liaison education

There are a few differences between a genetic scientist and a medical science liaison in terms of educational background:

Genetic ScientistMedical Science Liaison
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Genetic scientist vs medical science liaison demographics

Here are the differences between genetic scientists' and medical science liaisons' demographics:

Genetic ScientistMedical Science Liaison
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 23.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between genetic scientist and medical science liaison 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.

Medical science liaison example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and analyze medical necessity review of manage care appeals.
  • Develop and manage KOLs resulting in presentations to regional, national and international meetings.
  • Utilize extensive knowledge of medical terminology, ICD-9, HCPCS and CPT coding along with analysis and processing of Medicare claims.
  • Provide pre-launch field support for a novel diabetes compound.
  • Provide drug information to medical professionals and sales force within FDA guidelines.
  • Join Clementine as a trainee BMS and successfully complete training and registration.
  • Show more

Genetic scientist vs medical science liaison skills

Common genetic scientist skills
  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 25%
  • Molecular Biology, 19%
  • RNA, 12%
  • QC, 9%
  • Biological Sciences, 8%
  • Cell Culture, 7%
Common medical science liaison skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Medical Affairs, 9%
  • MSL, 7%
  • Medical Science, 6%
  • Pharmaceutical Industry, 5%
  • Internal Stakeholders, 4%

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