Principle investigator vs phd researcher

The differences between principle investigators and phd researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a principle investigator and an phd researcher. Additionally, a principle investigator has an average salary of $78,325, which is higher than the $51,634 average annual salary of an phd researcher.

The top three skills for a principle investigator include GPS, data collection and PI. The most important skills for an phd researcher are python, chemistry, and research projects.

Principle investigator vs phd researcher overview

	Principle Investigator	PHD Researcher
Yearly salary	$78,325	$51,634
Hourly rate	$37.66	$24.82
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	5,554	19,736
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Doctoral Degree, 40%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Principle investigator vs phd researcher salary

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

	Principle Investigator	PHD Researcher
Average salary	$78,325	$51,634
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $133,000	Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	-	Novato, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between principle investigator and phd researcher education

There are a few differences between a principle investigator and an phd researcher in terms of educational background:

	Principle Investigator	PHD Researcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Doctoral Degree, 40%
Most common major	Psychology	Chemistry
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Principle investigator vs phd researcher demographics

Here are the differences between principle investigators' and phd researchers' demographics:

	Principle Investigator	PHD Researcher
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1%	Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
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, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.5% White, 47.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between principle investigator and phd researcher 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.

Phd researcher example responsibilities.

Manage and mentore graduate and undergraduate students in their physical chemistry relate studies and research projects on spin dynamics simulations.
Evaluate data employing GC/MS, gel electrophoresis, and UV/VIS spectroscopy.
Perform testing using gel electrophoresis as well as mixed and pour the gels used in testing
Optimize and redesign robotic components base on FEA for improve strength using ANSYS and SOLIDWORKS.
Coauthor an NIH grant proposal on DNA mismatch repair and malaria drug resistance (5R21AI072723-02).
Design a scent dispenser 3D model in SolidWorks and build a prototype by utilizing MasterCam and CNC machines.

Principle investigator vs phd researcher skills

Common principle investigator skills

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

Common phd researcher skills

Python, 9%
Chemistry, 8%
Research Projects, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
Renewable Energy, 6%
C++, 5%

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Principle Investigator
Principle Investigator vs PHD Researcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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