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The differences between laboratory researchers and senior 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 senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, 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 senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Laboratory Researcher | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $27,760 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $13.35 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,359 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| 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 senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Laboratory researchers and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Researcher | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $27,760 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $43,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | California |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Education | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a laboratory researcher and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Researcher | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between laboratory researchers' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Laboratory Researcher | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |