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The differences between project scientists and principal 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 project scientist and a principal research scientist. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $79,073 average annual salary of a project scientist.
The top three skills for a project scientist include data analysis, research projects and oversight. The most important skills for a principal research scientist are research projects, principal research, and data analysis.
| Project Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $79,073 | $127,191 |
| Hourly rate | $38.02 | $61.15 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 53,045 | 126,911 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Project Scientist is responsible for conducting tests and evaluations of existing products and reporting the findings. The industries they may work in include textiles technology, polymer technology, chemical sciences, and chemical engineering.
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
Project scientists and principal research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $79,073 | $127,191 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $110,000 | Between $87,000 And $184,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Amazon | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a project scientist and a principal research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Project Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between project scientists' and principal research scientists' demographics:
| Project Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.2% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |