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The differences between phd researchers and laboratory researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an phd researcher and a laboratory researcher. Additionally, an phd researcher has an average salary of $51,634, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for an phd researcher include python, chemistry and research projects. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| PHD Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $51,634 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $24.82 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 19,736 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The primary job of a Ph.D. researcher is to plan and conduct experiments and analyzing their outcome. You will collect, organize, and analyze data and opinions to solve issues and predict trends. Other tasks you will perform include doing fieldwork to collect samples, writing reports, research papers, and reviews, and organizing materials testing. In addition, you need to liaise with research and production staff, develop ways to resolve problems, and supervise junior research staff.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Phd researchers and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| PHD Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $51,634 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $76,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Meta | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between an phd researcher and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| PHD Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between phd researchers' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| PHD Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.5% White, 47.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |