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The differences between laboratory research assistants and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a laboratory research assistant, becoming a postdoctoral research associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a postdoctoral research associate has an average salary of $52,785, which is higher than the $36,537 average annual salary of a laboratory research assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory research assistant include data collection, patients and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $36,537 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $17.57 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 87,343 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Laboratory research assistants and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $36,537 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | New York University | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a laboratory research assistant and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between laboratory research assistants' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |