Medical researcher vs scientist

The differences between medical researchers and 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 scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, 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 scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Medical researcher vs scientist overview

	Medical Researcher	Scientist
Yearly salary	$61,177	$97,344
Hourly rate	$29.41	$46.80
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	51,264	62,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Medical researcher vs scientist salary

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

	Medical Researcher	Scientist
Average salary	$61,177	$97,344
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $106,000	Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Rose Medical Center	Airbnb
Best paying industry	Health Care	Technology

Differences between medical researcher and scientist education

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

	Medical Researcher	Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Biology	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Medical researcher vs scientist demographics

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

	Medical Researcher	Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratio	Black 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between medical researcher and 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.

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Medical researcher vs 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 scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

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Medical Researcher vs Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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