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The differences between junior research scientists and staff 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 staff scientist. Additionally, a staff scientist has an average salary of $93,941, 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 staff scientist are data analysis, research projects, and molecular biology.
| Junior Research Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $93,941 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $45.16 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 121,054 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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.
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
Junior research scientists and staff scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $93,941 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $63,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | Etsy |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and a staff scientist in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and staff scientists' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Staff Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |