Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between laboratory managers and senior research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a laboratory manager, becoming a senior research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory manager has an average salary of $74,314, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.
The top three skills for a laboratory manager include lab equipment, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Laboratory Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $74,314 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $35.73 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 43,321 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Laboratory managers and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $74,314 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $111,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Government |
There are a few differences between a laboratory manager and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between laboratory managers' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Laboratory Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |