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The differences between principal research scientists 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 principal research scientist and an associate scientist. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $76,461 average annual salary of an associate scientist.
The top three skills for a principal research scientist include research projects, principal research and data analysis. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Principal Research Scientist | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $127,191 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $61.15 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 126,911 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
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.
Principal research scientists and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Scientist | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $127,191 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $184,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Phillips 66 | |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a principal research scientist and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Scientist | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between principal research scientists' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Principal Research Scientist | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% 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% |