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The differences between laboratory research assistants and research assistant professors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a laboratory research assistant and a research assistant professor. Additionally, a research assistant professor has an average salary of $73,455, 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 research assistant professor are research projects, biomedical, and research program.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Yearly salary | $36,537 | $73,455 |
| Hourly rate | $17.57 | $35.31 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 87,343 | 62,395 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Doctoral Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 research assistant professor works part-time at colleges or universities where they focus on conducting research and extensive studies. They typically work under the supervision and directives of a professor and perform support tasks such as gathering and analyzing samples through different scientific procedures, completing interviews and surveys, performing experiments and assessments, maintaining records, and handling calls and other forms of correspondence. Additionally, a research assistant professor may also teach undergraduates and participate in preparing activities and curriculum materials.
Laboratory research assistants and research assistant professors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Average salary | $36,537 | $73,455 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $52,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | New York University | Stanford University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory research assistant and a research assistant professor in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Doctoral Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between laboratory research assistants' and research assistant professors' demographics:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% |
| 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, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |