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The differences between research biologists and research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a research biologist, becoming a research scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research scientist has an average salary of $89,998, 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 research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.
| Research Biologist | Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $69,719 | $89,998 |
| Hourly rate | $33.52 | $43.27 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 52,799 | 93,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
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.
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
Research biologists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Biologist | Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $69,719 | $89,998 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $96,000 | Between $58,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Juneau, AK | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Lyft |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a research biologist and a research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Research Biologist | Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research biologists' and research scientists' demographics:
| Research Biologist | Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |