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The differences between principal scientists and principal research 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 scientist and a principal research scientist. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $119,982 average annual salary of a principal scientist.
The top three skills for a principal scientist include oncology, data analysis and drug discovery. The most important skills for a principal research scientist are research projects, principal research, and data analysis.
| Principal Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $119,982 | $127,191 |
| Hourly rate | $57.68 | $61.15 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 80,899 | 126,911 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Principal Scientist is focused on leading scientific teams and conducting research. They ensure that their teams have the resources to properly perform research tasks.
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.
Principal scientists and principal research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $119,982 | $127,191 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $169,000 | Between $87,000 And $184,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | PayPal | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a principal scientist and a principal research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Principal Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between principal scientists' and principal research scientists' demographics:
| Principal Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |