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Medical researcher vs medical science liaison

The differences between medical researchers and medical science liaisons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a medical researcher and a medical science liaison. Additionally, a medical science liaison has an average salary of $145,718, which is higher than the $61,177 average annual salary of a medical researcher.

The top three skills for a medical researcher include patients, statistical analysis and vital signs. The most important skills for a medical science liaison are patients, medical affairs, and MSL.

Medical researcher vs medical science liaison overview

Medical ResearcherMedical Science Liaison
Yearly salary$61,177$145,718
Hourly rate$29.41$70.06
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs51,26457,208
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Medical researcher vs medical science liaison salary

Medical researchers and medical science liaisons have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical ResearcherMedical Science Liaison
Average salary$61,177$145,718
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $106,000Between $59,000 And $359,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAJackson, TN
Highest paying stateNew JerseyTennessee
Best paying companyRose Medical CenterSaint Luke's Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between medical researcher and medical science liaison education

There are a few differences between a medical researcher and a medical science liaison in terms of educational background:

Medical ResearcherMedical Science Liaison
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Medical researcher vs medical science liaison demographics

Here are the differences between medical researchers' and medical science liaisons' demographics:

Medical ResearcherMedical Science Liaison
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 42.6% Female, 57.4%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 23.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between medical researcher and medical science liaison duties and responsibilities

Medical researcher example responsibilities.

  • Create Linux shell scripts to automate common process which severely reduce manual work load and processing time for the entire lab.
  • Experience in quantifying RNA and protein (BCA method) as well as synthesizing complementary DNA from RNA.
  • Extract RNA and protein using TRIzol reagent.
  • Compose PowerPoint presentation providing in-depth explanation for lack of preliminary results, as well as proposed process resolution.
  • Adhere to strict turn-a-round deadlines and maintain confidential information by following proper ISO procedures.

Medical science liaison example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and analyze medical necessity review of manage care appeals.
  • Develop and manage KOLs resulting in presentations to regional, national and international meetings.
  • Utilize extensive knowledge of medical terminology, ICD-9, HCPCS and CPT coding along with analysis and processing of Medicare claims.
  • Provide pre-launch field support for a novel diabetes compound.
  • Provide drug information to medical professionals and sales force within FDA guidelines.
  • Join Clementine as a trainee BMS and successfully complete training and registration.
  • Show more

Medical researcher vs medical science liaison skills

Common medical researcher skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Statistical Analysis, 11%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Laboratory Practices, 8%
  • Clinical Research Studies, 8%
  • Research Projects, 7%
Common medical science liaison skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Medical Affairs, 9%
  • MSL, 7%
  • Medical Science, 6%
  • Pharmaceutical Industry, 5%
  • Internal Stakeholders, 4%

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