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Master vs postdoctoral scholar

The differences between masters and postdoctoral scholars can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a master, becoming a postdoctoral scholar takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a master has an average salary of $69,786, which is higher than the $57,587 average annual salary of a postdoctoral scholar.

The top three skills for a master include hand tools, social work and customer service. The most important skills for a postdoctoral scholar are chemistry, python, and patients.

Master vs postdoctoral scholar overview

MasterPostdoctoral Scholar
Yearly salary$69,786$57,587
Hourly rate$33.55$27.69
Growth rate1%17%
Number of jobs19,66718,983
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4041
Years of experience24

What does a master do?

A master is an individual who has the power and ability to make use, dispose of something, or take control. One can be a master of a certain language, skill, or anything he/she or she is an expert of. In terms of requirements, a master must be extremely knowledgeable in whichever area they choose to be an expert in. This may entail intense studying, research, and dedication.

What does a postdoctoral scholar do?

A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.

Master vs postdoctoral scholar salary

Masters and postdoctoral scholars have different pay scales, as shown below.

MasterPostdoctoral Scholar
Average salary$69,786$57,587
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $127,000Between $41,000 And $79,000
Highest paying CityEl Paso, TXSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVirginiaCalifornia
Best paying companyPacific Investment Management Company LLCMicrosoft
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between master and postdoctoral scholar education

There are a few differences between a master and a postdoctoral scholar in terms of educational background:

MasterPostdoctoral Scholar
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessChemistry
Most common college-Duke University

Master vs postdoctoral scholar demographics

Here are the differences between masters' and postdoctoral scholars' demographics:

MasterPostdoctoral Scholar
Average age4041
Gender ratioMale, 64.2% Female, 35.8%Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage2%8%

Differences between master and postdoctoral scholar duties and responsibilities

Master example responsibilities.

  • Design, construct, and manage web content using HTML/CSS, MySQL, and PHP.
  • Lead change management initiative to innovate new QA procedures in master data to support automation for the team.
  • Manage employee recognition awards program design to recognize top performing sailors.
  • Recommend resources or support require to accomplish total force manpower program objectives.
  • Achieve numerous accolades and excellence awards in addition to many combat meritorious advancements.
  • Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
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Postdoctoral scholar example responsibilities.

  • Lead community-based health projects on and off campus as an Oslerian student scholar.
  • Lead the in-vitro biophysical and biochemical characterization of homologous recombination and investigate structure-function effects of mutant enzymes.
  • Utilize basic organic and inorganic chemistry techniques including polymer synthesis and NMR spectroscopy.
  • Train graduate students on molecular biology techniques- DNA and RNA extraction and qPCR.
  • Contribute to successful NIH grant proposals.
  • Develop HPLC analysis method for skin folate.
  • Show more

Master vs postdoctoral scholar skills

Common master skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Social Work, 15%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Java, 3%
Common postdoctoral scholar skills
  • Chemistry, 10%
  • Python, 8%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • NIH, 5%
  • C++, 5%

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