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The differences between graduate research students and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a postdoctoral research associate has an average salary of $52,785, which is higher than the $34,658 average annual salary of a graduate research student.
The top three skills for a graduate research student include lab equipment, laboratory equipment and python. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Graduate Research Student | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $34,658 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $16.66 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 58,921 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Graduate research students and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graduate Research Student | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $34,658 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $60,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Capgemini | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a graduate research student and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Graduate Research Student | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between graduate research students' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Graduate Research Student | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |