Principle investigator vs lead investigator

The differences between principle investigators and lead investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a principle investigator, becoming a lead investigator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principle investigator has an average salary of $78,325, which is higher than the $60,060 average annual salary of a lead investigator.

The top three skills for a principle investigator include GPS, data collection and PI. The most important skills for a lead investigator are law enforcement agencies, background investigations, and data analysis.

Principle investigator vs lead investigator overview

	Principle Investigator	Lead Investigator
Yearly salary	$78,325	$60,060
Hourly rate	$37.66	$28.88
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	5,554	21,299
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	41	44
Years of experience	4	6

Principle investigator vs lead investigator salary

Principle investigators and lead investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Principle Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average salary	$78,325	$60,060
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $133,000	Between $31,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City	-	South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Delaware
Best paying company	-	BNY Mellon
Best paying industry	-	Pharmaceutical

Differences between principle investigator and lead investigator education

There are a few differences between a principle investigator and a lead investigator in terms of educational background:

	Principle Investigator	Lead Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Psychology	Criminal Justice
Most common college	Duke University	California State University - Bakersfield

Principle investigator vs lead investigator demographics

Here are the differences between principle investigators' and lead investigators' demographics:

	Principle Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average age	41	44
Gender ratio	Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1%	Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between principle investigator and lead investigator duties and responsibilities

Principle investigator example responsibilities.

Manage outsource projects, and interact with vendors for API sourcing, and device components base on project needs.
Promote to perform sequence analysis and identify target primer sites for the development of PCR assays for bacterial species.
Synthesize and analyze experimental data using IBM SPSS.
Investigate the toxicology and efficacy of bioresorbable, polymer-base medical devices and extend release drug delivery system.
Supervise activities of analytical cellular and molecular immunology laboratories.
Supervise activities of analytical cellular and molecular immunology laboratories.

Lead investigator example responsibilities.

Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
Require to testify at court appearances in response to research pertaining to various types of subpoenas.
Develop procedures for and review incoming referrals from internal departments and subpoenas to determine if a full investigation are warranted.
Ensure effective prioritization of investigation through supervision and monitor & review investigative activity and outcomes using CCTV & by running reports.
Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
Generate records by interrogatories or name, date of birth and social security number.

Principle investigator vs lead investigator skills

Common principle investigator skills

GPS, 9%
Data Collection, 8%
PI, 8%
Literature Reviews, 8%
Data Analysis, 6%
Research Projects, 5%

Common lead investigator skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
Background Investigations, 9%
Data Analysis, 8%
Corrective Action, 8%
Criminal Justice, 7%
Loss Prevention, 7%

Principle Investigator vs. similar jobs

Principle Investigator related careers

Principle Investigator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Principle Investigator
Principle Investigator vs Lead Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs