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The differences between junior scientists and senior data 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 scientist and a senior data scientist. Additionally, a senior data scientist has an average salary of $124,093, which is higher than the $63,169 average annual salary of a junior scientist.
The top three skills for a junior scientist include lab equipment, literature and data analysis. The most important skills for a senior data scientist are python, data science, and visualization.
| Junior Scientist | Senior Data Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $63,169 | $124,093 |
| Hourly rate | $30.37 | $59.66 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 56,283 | 103,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A senior data scientist is responsible for overseeing the work of the junior data scientist and providing advanced expertise in mathematical and statistical concepts for the analytics and data department. You will perform various tasks, including outlining the work requirements, monitoring the performance of junior data scientists, and assigning tasks to them. Other typical duties include preparing non-technical reports detailing the limitations and successes of projects, providing recommendations on how insights might be utilized to inform business strategy, and keeping up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in data science.
Junior scientists and senior data scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Scientist | Senior Data Scientist | |
| Average salary | $63,169 | $124,093 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $90,000 | Between $90,000 And $170,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The University of Chicago | Brex |
| Best paying industry | Education | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a junior scientist and a senior data scientist in terms of educational background:
| Junior Scientist | Senior Data Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Biology | Mathematics |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Columbia University in the City of New York |
Here are the differences between junior scientists' and senior data scientists' demographics:
| Junior Scientist | Senior Data Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| 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, 4.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 18.8% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |