Molecular biologist vs medical science liaison

The differences between molecular biologists and medical science liaisons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a molecular biologist, becoming a medical science liaison takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a medical science liaison has an average salary of $145,718, which is higher than the $73,763 average annual salary of a molecular biologist.

The top three skills for a molecular biologist include CRISPR, next-generation sequencing and cell culture. The most important skills for a medical science liaison are patients, medical affairs, and MSL.

Molecular biologist vs medical science liaison overview

	Molecular Biologist	Medical Science Liaison
Yearly salary	$73,763	$145,718
Hourly rate	$35.46	$70.06
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	22,019	57,208
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	40	41
Years of experience	8	4

What does a molecular biologist do?

A molecular biologist is a specialist who explores and studies the complex functions of cells on a molecular level as well as the biological laws governing the operations of each cellular component. To conduct research and academic activities, molecular biologists use equipment such as microscopes, lab centrifuges, and computers with software that allows the analysis of obtained data. They are required to develop a new way to test the validity of drugs that are used to stimulate safe gene growth and fight off disease. Molecular biologists must also conduct workshops and practical demonstrations in universities and governmental agencies.

What does a medical science liaison do?

A medical science liaison (MSL) is a scientific professional who facilitates a working relationship between healthcare companies and leading physicians, researchers, and clinicians. Also referred to as key opinion leaders (KOL), medical science liaisons represent their company to the decision-makers in the medical community as well as to investors and government regulatory agencies. They analyze clinical trends and monitor the scientific literature for new developments in the medical community. Medical science liaisons also prepare medical samples and data to investigate the causes of chronic diseases, pathogens, and toxicity.

Molecular biologist vs medical science liaison salary

Molecular biologists and medical science liaisons have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Molecular Biologist	Medical Science Liaison
Average salary	$73,763	$145,718
Salary range	Between $52,000 And $104,000	Between $59,000 And $359,000
Highest paying City	Urban Honolulu, HI	Jackson, TN
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Tennessee
Best paying company	Novartis	Saint Luke's Health System
Best paying industry	Health Care	Manufacturing

Differences between molecular biologist and medical science liaison education

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

	Molecular Biologist	Medical Science Liaison
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Biology	Nursing
Most common college	Harvard University	University of Southern California

Molecular biologist vs medical science liaison demographics

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

	Molecular Biologist	Medical Science Liaison
Average age	40	41
Gender ratio	Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1%	Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 17.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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 Percentage	10%	8%

Differences between molecular biologist and medical science liaison duties and responsibilities

Molecular biologist example responsibilities.

Provide oversight for FDA inspections.
Present results in monthly HTS and data meeting.
Perform instrument, primers and reagent validations utilize in RT-PCR.
Develop and perform assays for testing samples using ELISA and PCR technology.
Used molecular techniques such as RNA and DNA isolation, RT-PCR, and qPCR.
Play a lead role in developing, optimizing and validating ELISA and ELISA microarrays.

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.

Molecular biologist vs medical science liaison skills

Common molecular biologist skills

CRISPR, 8%
Next-Generation Sequencing, 7%
Cell Culture, 6%
Lab Equipment, 6%
Molecular Biology Techniques, 5%
Extraction, 5%

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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Molecular Biologist
Molecular Biologist vs Medical Science Liaison

Updated January 8, 2025

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