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The differences between junior scientists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a junior scientist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a junior scientist has an average salary of $63,169, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for a junior scientist include lab equipment, literature and data analysis. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Junior Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $63,169 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $30.37 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 56,283 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A junior scientist is in charge of conducting research and scientific studies while under the supervision of a more experienced scientist. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering and preparing samples, performing experiments and analysis, coordinating with other experts, recording all progress, reviewing results, and summarizing findings into reports and presentations. In a company setting, a junior scientist must adhere to deadlines and budgets, submitting results to senior scientists and managers. Furthermore, it is essential to uphold the policies and regulations of laboratories to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Junior scientists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $63,169 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $90,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | The University of Chicago | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a junior scientist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Junior Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between junior scientists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Junior Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 8% | 8% |