Principle investigator vs scientist

The differences between principle investigators and 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 principle investigator and a scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $78,325 average annual salary of a principle investigator.

The top three skills for a principle investigator include GPS, data collection and PI. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Principle investigator vs scientist overview

	Principle Investigator	Scientist
Yearly salary	$78,325	$97,344
Hourly rate	$37.66	$46.80
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	5,554	62,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Principle investigator vs scientist salary

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

	Principle Investigator	Scientist
Average salary	$78,325	$97,344
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $133,000	Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	-	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Airbnb
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between principle investigator and scientist education

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

	Principle Investigator	Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Psychology	Chemistry
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Principle investigator vs scientist demographics

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

	Principle Investigator	Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between principle investigator and scientist 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.

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Principle investigator vs scientist skills

Common principle investigator skills

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

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

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Principle Investigator
Principle Investigator vs Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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