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The differences between junior research scientists and research technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a junior research scientist and a research technician. Additionally, a junior research scientist has an average salary of $67,062, which is higher than the $43,034 average annual salary of a research technician.
The top three skills for a junior research scientist include python, PI and C++. The most important skills for a research technician are patients, data collection, and cell culture.
| Junior Research Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $43,034 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $20.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 64,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A junior research scientist is responsible for evaluating and interpreting scientific results from laboratory investigations and experiments. Junior research scientists assist the senior scientists in gathering information to support research studies and claims. They perform both laboratory and field trials to collect samples for further examinations. A junior research scientist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing comprehensive reports, following accurate scientific methodologies, and submitting the research findings on time to the research supervisor.
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Junior research scientists and research technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $43,034 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $31,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Pasadena, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Education | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and a research technician in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and research technicians' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Research Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |