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The differences between lead scientists and chief 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 lead scientist and a chief scientist. Additionally, a lead scientist has an average salary of $110,028, which is higher than the $108,046 average annual salary of a chief scientist.
The top three skills for a lead scientist include C++, java and data analysis. The most important skills for a chief scientist are DOD, RF, and IC.
| Lead Scientist | Chief Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $110,028 | $108,046 |
| Hourly rate | $52.90 | $51.95 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 49,455 | 60,741 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Chief scientists supervise, plan, and budget the funds for research activities to publish their discoveries with influential publication companies. By doing commentaries with the press and media, they spread their knowledge about science to the public. They are mentors or coaches to non-professional scientists and help them build a case to get their promotion. For their subordinates to feel motivated to reach their goals when working on research projects, chief scientists must maintain a professional, creative, but engaging environment.
Lead scientists and chief scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Scientist | Chief Scientist | |
| Average salary | $110,028 | $108,046 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $153,000 | Between $69,000 And $168,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Uber Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead scientist and a chief scientist in terms of educational background:
| Lead Scientist | Chief Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Physics |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between lead scientists' and chief scientists' demographics:
| Lead Scientist | Chief Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.9% Female, 29.1% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |