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The differences between research analysts and researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a research analyst, becoming a researcher takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research analyst has an average salary of $70,232, which is higher than the $67,145 average annual salary of a researcher.
The top three skills for a research analyst include data analysis, data collection and research projects. The most important skills for a researcher are python, lab equipment, and C++.
| Research Analyst | Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $70,232 | $67,145 |
| Hourly rate | $33.77 | $32.28 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 81,374 | 30,498 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A research analyst is responsible for providing a company with insights and advice concerning finance, investments, and expenditures. Utilizing their analytical skills and extensive expertise in marketing, they analyze the trends and significant factors to conclude which decision should be the best to make. They can also take part in conducting an in-depth analysis of a business and examine which areas require improvement or has potential. Furthermore, they may work with a company or independently as a freelance analyst.
A researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
Research analysts and researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Analyst | Researcher | |
| Average salary | $70,232 | $67,145 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $107,000 | Between $37,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Renaissance Learning |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a research analyst and a researcher in terms of educational background:
| Research Analyst | Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between research analysts' and researchers' demographics:
| Research Analyst | Researcher | |
| Average age | 37 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |