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The differences between health physicists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a health physicist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a health physicist has an average salary of $74,942, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for a health physicist include radioactive materials, oversight and ALARA. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Health Physicist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $74,942 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $36.03 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 47,640 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 48 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A health physicist investigates research principles by which radiation interacts with living systems and matter. Health physicists study environmental radioactivity levels. Part of their research is radiation's effects on biological systems in space and on earth. They ensure the proper functioning of the x-ray and the storage of radiation therapy. Part of their responsibility is to make sure that scientists are following regulations and safely using their radioactive materials. Also, they are advocates of human and environmental protection.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Health physicists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Physicist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $74,942 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $134,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | UCI Health | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Education |
There are a few differences between a health physicist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Health Physicist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Physics | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between health physicists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Health Physicist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 48 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.8% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 7.2% White, 77.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 24% | 8% |