Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between research biologists and molecular biologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a research biologist and a molecular biologist. Additionally, a molecular biologist has an average salary of $73,763, which is higher than the $69,719 average annual salary of a research biologist.
The top three skills for a research biologist include laboratory equipment, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a molecular biologist are CRISPR, next-generation sequencing, and cell culture.
| Research Biologist | Molecular Biologist | |
| Yearly salary | $69,719 | $73,763 |
| Hourly rate | $33.52 | $35.46 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 52,799 | 22,019 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A research biologist is a scientist who works in the outdoors, laboratories, and offices to study the natural elements so that they can better understand how living organisms work. Research biologists must design experiments for various research projects conducted under standard operating procedures and good laboratory practice guidelines. They are required to supervise lab technicians and veterinary medicine students in their respective research projects and studies. Research biologists must also provide support for clinical research protocols through laboratory procedures and protocols.
A molecular biologist is a specialist who explores and studies the complex functions of cells on a molecular level as well as the biological laws governing the operations of each cellular component. To conduct research and academic activities, molecular biologists use equipment such as microscopes, lab centrifuges, and computers with software that allows the analysis of obtained data. They are required to develop a new way to test the validity of drugs that are used to stimulate safe gene growth and fight off disease. Molecular biologists must also conduct workshops and practical demonstrations in universities and governmental agencies.
Research biologists and molecular biologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Biologist | Molecular Biologist | |
| Average salary | $69,719 | $73,763 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $96,000 | Between $52,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Juneau, AK | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Novartis |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a research biologist and a molecular biologist in terms of educational background:
| Research Biologist | Molecular Biologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between research biologists' and molecular biologists' demographics:
| Research Biologist | Molecular Biologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% | Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 15.7% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 17.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |