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The differences between laboratory scientists 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 scientist and a senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $66,249 average annual salary of a laboratory scientist.
The top three skills for a laboratory scientist include chemistry, ASCP and laboratory procedures. The most important skills for a senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Laboratory Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $66,249 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $31.85 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 83,505 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A laboratory scientist specializes in conducting research and experiments for a company or an academic institution. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around gathering and labeling samples, documenting data and progress, reviewing results, and even maintaining the cleanliness of the laboratory and its apparatus. There are also instances when they have to collaborate with other scientists, report progress, and even contribute them to different publications. Furthermore, a laboratory scientist may supervise less experienced colleagues, all while implementing the safety policies and regulations of the laboratory to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
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 scientists and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $66,249 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $93,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a laboratory scientist and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between laboratory scientists' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Laboratory Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.1% 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% |