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The differences between principal research scientists and 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 a scientist. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $97,344 average annual salary of a scientist.
The top three skills for a principal research scientist include research projects, principal research and data analysis. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.
| Principal Research Scientist | Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $127,191 | $97,344 |
| Hourly rate | $61.15 | $46.80 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 126,911 | 62,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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.
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Principal research scientists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Scientist | Scientist | |
| Average salary | $127,191 | $97,344 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $184,000 | Between $67,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal research scientist and a scientist in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Scientist | Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between principal research scientists' and scientists' demographics:
| Principal Research Scientist | Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |