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The differences between lead scientists and postdoctoral associates 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 postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a lead scientist has an average salary of $110,028, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a lead scientist include C++, java and data analysis. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Lead Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $110,028 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $52.90 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 49,455 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| 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.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Lead scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $110,028 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $153,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Tennessee | Maine |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a lead scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Lead Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between lead scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Lead Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.9% Female, 29.1% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |