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The differences between laboratory researchers and scientists 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 scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, 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 scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.
| Laboratory Researcher | Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $27,760 | $97,344 |
| Hourly rate | $13.35 | $46.80 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,359 | 62,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Laboratory researchers and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Researcher | Scientist | |
| Average salary | $27,760 | $97,344 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $43,000 | Between $67,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | California |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a laboratory researcher and a scientist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Researcher | Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between laboratory researchers' and scientists' demographics:
| Laboratory Researcher | Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |