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The differences between production scientists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a production scientist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a production scientist has an average salary of $77,464, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for a production scientist include process improvement, QC and lab equipment. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Production Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,464 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $37.24 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 100,301 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A production scientist analyzes production operations and manufacturing processes to identify gaps, modify current procedures that would increase process efficiency, and maximize optimal performance. Production scientists inspect the tools and materials utilized for the production and oversee research trials for process formulations. They also develop opportunities and design models that support business functions, generating more innovation and increasing more revenue resources for the business. A production scientist writes research findings, manages resources, and determines various process feasibility.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Production scientists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $77,464 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $124,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Beckman Coulter | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a production scientist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Production Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between production scientists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Production Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 23.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |