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Genetic scientist vs principal scientist

The differences between genetic scientists and principal 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 genetic scientist and a principal scientist. Additionally, a principal scientist has an average salary of $119,982, 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 principal scientist are oncology, data analysis, and drug discovery.

Genetic scientist vs principal scientist overview

Genetic ScientistPrincipal Scientist
Yearly salary$86,662$119,982
Hourly rate$41.66$57.68
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs44,17980,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Genetic scientist vs principal scientist salary

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

Genetic ScientistPrincipal Scientist
Average salary$86,662$119,982
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $125,000Between $84,000 And $169,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying company23andMePayPal
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between genetic scientist and principal scientist education

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

Genetic ScientistPrincipal Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Genetic scientist vs principal scientist demographics

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

Genetic ScientistPrincipal Scientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%
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, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between genetic scientist and principal scientist 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.

Principal scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage pediatric dose development project, technology transfer project and alternate API supplier qualification project on budget and on schedule
  • Provide development of and line support for assign immunoassay reagents, calibrators and controls.
  • Transfer controls to manufacturing for product launch and include all require studies, testing and documentation under GMP guidelines.
  • Maintain several lab documents for ISO certification.
  • Understand drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and design stable molecules.
  • Image visualization and manipulation of background plates for animation and post-processing.
  • Show more

Genetic scientist vs principal scientist skills

Common genetic scientist skills
  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 25%
  • Molecular Biology, 19%
  • RNA, 12%
  • QC, 9%
  • Biological Sciences, 8%
  • Cell Culture, 7%
Common principal scientist skills
  • Oncology, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Drug Discovery, 5%
  • GMP, 3%
  • Experimental Design, 3%
  • Clinical Trials, 3%

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