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The differences between laboratory research assistants and research fellows 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 research fellow takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research fellow has an average salary of $53,823, 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 fellow are patients, research projects, and data analysis.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Fellow | |
| Yearly salary | $36,537 | $53,823 |
| Hourly rate | $17.57 | $25.88 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 87,343 | 59,746 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's 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 research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
Laboratory research assistants and research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Fellow | |
| Average salary | $36,537 | $53,823 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | New York University | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Education | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a laboratory research assistant and a research fellow in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Fellow | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between laboratory research assistants' and research fellows' demographics:
| Laboratory Research Assistant | Research Fellow | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7% |
| 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 27.1% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |