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The differences between lead scientists and leaders 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 a leader takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a lead scientist has an average salary of $110,028, which is higher than the $86,964 average annual salary of a leader.
The top three skills for a lead scientist include C++, java and data analysis. The most important skills for a leader are customer service, strong time management, and excellent interpersonal.
| Lead Scientist | Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $110,028 | $86,964 |
| Hourly rate | $52.90 | $41.81 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 49,455 | 172,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 41 | 46 |
| 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.
Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
Lead scientists and leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Scientist | Leader | |
| Average salary | $110,028 | $86,964 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $153,000 | Between $49,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | Maine |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a lead scientist and a leader in terms of educational background:
| Lead Scientist | Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between lead scientists' and leaders' demographics:
| Lead Scientist | Leader | |
| Average age | 41 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.9% Female, 29.1% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |