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The differences between health researchers 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 health researcher and a principal scientist. Additionally, a principal scientist has an average salary of $119,982, which is higher than the $83,787 average annual salary of a health researcher.
The top three skills for a health researcher include health services, data collection and data analysis. The most important skills for a principal scientist are oncology, data analysis, and drug discovery.
| Health Researcher | Principal Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $83,787 | $119,982 |
| Hourly rate | $40.28 | $57.68 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 53,504 | 80,899 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A health researcher is responsible for analyzing materials and publications and develop efficient research methodologies to support the analysis within the health industry. Health researchers review the current health trends, identify risks that may put public health in jeopardy, and coordinating with medical health professionals for in-depth investigation of diseases. They also assist laboratory technicians in performing examinations according to the research findings, proposing treatment plans, and improving diagnosing methods. A health researcher may present the study with different institutions, including the government, and recommend ways to minimize public health risk.
A Principal Scientist is focused on leading scientific teams and conducting research. They ensure that their teams have the resources to properly perform research tasks.
Health researchers and principal scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Researcher | Principal Scientist | |
| Average salary | $83,787 | $119,982 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $122,000 | Between $84,000 And $169,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | PayPal |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between a health researcher and a principal scientist in terms of educational background:
| Health Researcher | Principal Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between health researchers' and principal scientists' demographics:
| Health Researcher | Principal Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |