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The differences between production scientists and research 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 production scientist and a research scientist. Additionally, a research scientist has an average salary of $89,998, which is higher than the $77,464 average annual salary of a production scientist.
The top three skills for a production scientist include process improvement, QC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.
| Production Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,464 | $89,998 |
| Hourly rate | $37.24 | $43.27 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 100,301 | 93,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
Production scientists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $77,464 | $89,998 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $124,000 | Between $58,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Beckman Coulter | Lyft |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a production scientist and a research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Production Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between production scientists' and research scientists' demographics:
| Production Scientist | Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |