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The differences between professional research assistants and senior research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a professional research assistant and a senior research associate. Additionally, a senior research associate has an average salary of $72,618, which is higher than the $58,202 average annual salary of a professional research assistant.
The top three skills for a professional research assistant include research projects, data collection and patients. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Professional Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $58,202 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $27.98 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 91,813 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A professional research assistant works under the supervision of primary researchers leading research projects. Research assistants help the main researchers in different tasks supporting research activities. These tasks vary based on research conducted and their field. The assistants prepare the interview questions and provide a results summary. They respond to emails, participate in project meetings, and prepare progress reports. Skills necessary for this job include communication skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, scheduling, and planning.
A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Professional research assistants and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Professional Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $58,202 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $88,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Siemens | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a professional research assistant and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Professional Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between professional research assistants' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Professional Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |