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The differences between junior research scientists and senior 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 junior research scientist and a senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $67,062 average annual salary of a junior research scientist.
The top three skills for a junior research scientist include python, PI and C++. The most important skills for a senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| 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 senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Junior research scientists and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Education | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |