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Medical researcher vs principal scientist

The differences between medical researchers and principal 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 medical researcher and a principal scientist. Additionally, a principal scientist has an average salary of $119,982, 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 principal scientist are oncology, data analysis, and drug discovery.

Medical researcher vs principal scientist overview

Medical ResearcherPrincipal Scientist
Yearly salary$61,177$119,982
Hourly rate$29.41$57.68
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs51,26480,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Medical researcher vs principal scientist salary

Medical researchers and principal scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical ResearcherPrincipal Scientist
Average salary$61,177$119,982
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $106,000Between $84,000 And $169,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyRose Medical CenterPayPal
Best paying industryHealth CareFinance

Differences between medical researcher and principal scientist education

There are a few differences between a medical researcher and a principal scientist in terms of educational background:

Medical ResearcherPrincipal Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Medical researcher vs principal scientist demographics

Here are the differences between medical researchers' and principal scientists' demographics:

Medical ResearcherPrincipal Scientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 42.6% Female, 57.4%Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%
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, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between medical researcher and principal scientist 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.

Principal scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage pediatric dose development project, technology transfer project and alternate API supplier qualification project on budget and on schedule
  • Provide development of and line support for assign immunoassay reagents, calibrators and controls.
  • Transfer controls to manufacturing for product launch and include all require studies, testing and documentation under GMP guidelines.
  • Maintain several lab documents for ISO certification.
  • Understand drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and design stable molecules.
  • Image visualization and manipulation of background plates for animation and post-processing.
  • Show more

Medical researcher vs principal scientist skills

Common medical researcher skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Statistical Analysis, 11%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Laboratory Practices, 8%
  • Clinical Research Studies, 8%
  • Research Projects, 7%
Common principal scientist skills
  • Oncology, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Drug Discovery, 5%
  • GMP, 3%
  • Experimental Design, 3%
  • Clinical Trials, 3%

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