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Principle investigator vs research laboratory manager

The differences between principle investigators and research laboratory managers 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 a research laboratory manager. Additionally, a principle investigator has an average salary of $78,325, which is higher than the $64,333 average annual salary of a research laboratory manager.

The top three skills for a principle investigator include GPS, data collection and PI. The most important skills for a research laboratory manager are lab equipment, research projects, and lab safety.

Principle investigator vs research laboratory manager overview

Principle InvestigatorResearch Laboratory Manager
Yearly salary$78,325$64,333
Hourly rate$37.66$30.93
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs5,55489,981
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Principle investigator vs research laboratory manager salary

Principle investigators and research laboratory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Principle InvestigatorResearch Laboratory Manager
Average salary$78,325$64,333
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $133,000Between $45,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state-Maryland
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between principle investigator and research laboratory manager education

There are a few differences between a principle investigator and a research laboratory manager in terms of educational background:

Principle InvestigatorResearch Laboratory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorPsychologyBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Principle investigator vs research laboratory manager demographics

Here are the differences between principle investigators' and research laboratory managers' demographics:

Principle InvestigatorResearch Laboratory Manager
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 49.9% Female, 50.1%Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between principle investigator and research laboratory manager 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.

Research laboratory manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and order equipment and materials for lab usage with NIH grant and write monthly credit card reports.
  • Manage laboratory team activities v. assist set up and revision of project plans under the guidance of NIH vi.
  • Design, development and validation of cell-base assays; infrare EMSA analysis, western blotting, ELISA.
  • Prepare, perform RT-PCR and Q-PCR and analyze the results.
  • Write grant proposal, project reports, IRB applications, and documentation.
  • Compose and maintain all lab IRB protocols in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
    • Show more

Principle investigator vs research laboratory manager skills

Common principle investigator skills
  • GPS, 9%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • PI, 8%
  • Literature Reviews, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Research Projects, 5%
Common research laboratory manager skills
  • Lab Equipment, 9%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Lab Safety, 6%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Research Lab, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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