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The differences between principal research economists and senior research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a principal research economist has an average salary of $91,494, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.
The top three skills for a principal research economist include C++, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Principal Research Economist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $91,494 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $43.99 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 85,025 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
Principal Research Economists are responsible for developing macroeconomic models to help inform the operational policies of an organization. Their duties include creating macro-econometric models, conduct forecasts and simulations, advising senior management in economic policy-making as well as perform macroeconomic research. Besides that, they prepare development reports, conduct macroeconomic projections, and organize research conferences or seminars. Principal Research Economists also assist in creating capacity development programs for institutional organizations and regional member countries.
A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Principal research economists and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Economist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $91,494 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $136,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Government |
There are a few differences between a principal research economist and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Economist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Economics | Biology |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between principal research economists' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Principal Research Economist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.8% Female, 34.2% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 16.9% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |