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The differences between production scientists and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a production scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a production scientist has an average salary of $77,464, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a production scientist include process improvement, QC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $77,464 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $37.24 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 100,301 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Production scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $77,464 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $124,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Beckman Coulter | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a production scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between production scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |