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The differences between postdoctoral research associates and associate 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 postdoctoral research associate and an associate scientist. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a postdoctoral research associate include python, research projects and chemistry. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,785 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $25.38 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 59,377 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
Postdoctoral research associates and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $52,785 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $72,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a postdoctoral research associate and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between postdoctoral research associates' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |