Principle investigator vs researcher

The differences between principle investigators and 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 a researcher. Additionally, a principle investigator has an average salary of $78,325, which is higher than the $67,145 average annual salary of a researcher.

The top three skills for a principle investigator include GPS, data collection and PI. The most important skills for a researcher are python, lab equipment, and C++.

Principle investigator vs researcher overview

	Principle Investigator	Researcher
Yearly salary	$78,325	$67,145
Hourly rate	$37.66	$32.28
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	5,554	30,498
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Principle investigator vs researcher salary

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

	Principle Investigator	Researcher
Average salary	$78,325	$67,145
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $133,000	Between $37,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	-	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Renaissance Learning
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between principle investigator and researcher education

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

	Principle Investigator	Researcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Psychology	Biology
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Principle investigator vs researcher demographics

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

	Principle Investigator	Researcher
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1%	Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1%
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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between principle investigator and 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.

Researcher example responsibilities.

Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
Perform cellular assays, DNA extractions, PCR, and sequencing to identify cellulase- producing soil bacteria.
Implement data visualization tools by Java.
Present research findings to select professors and professionals at scholar conferences.
Master techniques in biomedical science research methods.
Collaborate with doctorates in the field of immunology.

Principle investigator vs researcher skills

Common principle investigator skills

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

Common researcher skills

Python, 12%
Lab Equipment, 9%
C++, 8%
Data Analysis, 6%
Data Collection, 4%
R, 4%

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Principle Investigator
Principle Investigator vs Researcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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