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The differences between laboratory researchers and research fellows can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a laboratory researcher and a research fellow. Additionally, a research fellow has an average salary of $53,823, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a laboratory researcher include lab procedures, cell culture and molecular biology. The most important skills for a research fellow are patients, research projects, and data analysis.
| Laboratory Researcher | Research Fellow | |
| Yearly salary | $27,760 | $53,823 |
| Hourly rate | $13.35 | $25.88 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,359 | 59,746 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
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 researchers and research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Researcher | Research Fellow | |
| Average salary | $27,760 | $53,823 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $43,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Education | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a laboratory researcher and a research fellow in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Researcher | Research Fellow | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between laboratory researchers' and research fellows' demographics:
| Laboratory Researcher | Research Fellow | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% | Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |