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The differences between lead scientists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lead scientist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a lead scientist has an average salary of $110,028, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for a lead scientist include C++, java and data analysis. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Lead Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $110,028 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $52.90 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 49,455 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A lead scientist is primarily in charge of leading the efforts in conducting scientific studies within a particular program or project. Their responsibilities revolve around setting goals and objectives, delegating tasks, establishing guidelines, and overseeing the progress and performance of other scientists and workers in a laboratory. They may also liaise with clients and external parties, including the media. Furthermore, as a lead scientist, it is essential to encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing the laboratory's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Lead scientists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $110,028 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $153,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | PayPal | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a lead scientist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Lead Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between lead scientists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Lead Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.9% Female, 29.1% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |