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The differences between postdoctoral scholars and postdoctoral associates 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 scholar and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a postdoctoral scholar has an average salary of $57,587, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a postdoctoral scholar include chemistry, python and patients. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Postdoctoral Scholar | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $57,587 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $27.69 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 18,983 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Postdoctoral scholars and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Postdoctoral Scholar | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $57,587 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $79,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a postdoctoral scholar and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Postdoctoral Scholar | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between postdoctoral scholars' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Postdoctoral Scholar | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |