Research associate vs graduate research student

The differences between research associates and graduate research students can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research associate has an average salary of $60,166, which is higher than the $34,658 average annual salary of a graduate research student.

The top three skills for a research associate include patients, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a graduate research student are lab equipment, laboratory equipment, and python.

Research associate vs graduate research student overview

	Research Associate	Graduate Research Student
Yearly salary	$60,166	$34,658
Hourly rate	$28.93	$16.66
Growth rate	17%	19%
Number of jobs	63,884	58,921
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	2	-

What does a research associate do?

A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.

What does a graduate research student do?

Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.

Research associate vs graduate research student salary

Research associates and graduate research students have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Associate	Graduate Research Student
Average salary	$60,166	$34,658
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $87,000	Between $19,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Worcester, MA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	The Citadel	Capgemini
Best paying industry	Finance	Education

Differences between research associate and graduate research student education

There are a few differences between a research associate and a graduate research student in terms of educational background:

	Research Associate	Graduate Research Student
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Harvard University	Stanford University

Research associate vs graduate research student demographics

Here are the differences between research associates' and graduate research students' demographics:

	Research Associate	Graduate Research Student
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%	Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between research associate and graduate research student duties and responsibilities

Research associate example responsibilities.

Study utilize online survey tools and data are managed and analyze using SPSS.
Manage databases, analyze data in STATA, and summarize relevant findings for partners.
Lead diverse research teams in the development of PCR and reverse transcriptase PCR assays for various food-borne pathogens.
Process, analyze and upload HTS data that lead to the discovery of new structural classes of small molecules.
Manage outsource projects, and interact with vendors for API sourcing, and device components base on project needs.
Manage all aspects of HPLC method development and analysis through interpretation of data ensuring accuracy of results.

Graduate research student example responsibilities.

Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
Conduct molecular and cellular biology research techniques including DNA, RNA and protein isolation and analysis
Assist in organic chemistry laboratory on synthesis of molecule that behaves as fluorescent switch with cation binding properties
Perform Parkinson's psychological test on undergraduate students at UCLA and analyze data using statistical analysis software SPSS.
Analyze data using SAS statistical software, and map populations using GIS.
Summarize statistics from SAS outputs for USDA research grant investigating WIC and food insecurity.

Research associate vs graduate research student skills

Common research associate skills

Patients, 6%
Research Projects, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
Data Collection, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%
Chemistry, 4%

Common graduate research student skills

Lab Equipment, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Python, 6%
C++, 5%
Chemistry, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%

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Research Associate
Research Associate vs Graduate Research Student

Updated January 8, 2025

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