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The differences between principal research scientists and senior 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 senior scientist. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $106,672 average annual salary of a senior scientist.
The top three skills for a principal research scientist include research projects, principal research and data analysis. The most important skills for a senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Principal Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $127,191 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $61.15 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 126,911 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| 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 senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Principal research scientists and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $127,191 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $184,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a principal research scientist and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between principal research scientists' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Principal Research Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |