Research group director vs scientist

The differences between research group directors and 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 research group director and a scientist. Additionally, a research group director has an average salary of $97,758, which is higher than the $97,344 average annual salary of a scientist.

The top three skills for a research group director include research projects, R and market research. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Research group director vs scientist overview

	Research Group Director	Scientist
Yearly salary	$97,758	$97,344
Hourly rate	$47.00	$46.80
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	60,130	62,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Research group director vs scientist salary

Research group directors and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Group Director	Scientist
Average salary	$97,758	$97,344
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $160,000	Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	-	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Airbnb
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between research group director and scientist education

There are a few differences between a research group director and a scientist in terms of educational background:

	Research Group Director	Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Research group director vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between research group directors' and scientists' demographics:

	Research Group Director	Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between research group director and scientist duties and responsibilities

Research group director example responsibilities.

Lead social path-to-purchase study, incorporating social media analytics into insight community to identify spectrum of social engagement among customers.
Develop a license plate recognition and tracking algorithm using MATLAB.
Design a moving JPEG hardware accelerator using MATLAB and Simulink.
Develop and modify Linux device drivers for use on main controller platform.
Present results, observations and future plans via PowerPoint to the research class
Research into novel method for production of gold nanoparticles with tailorable size and shape.

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Research group director vs scientist skills

Common research group director skills

Research Projects, 48%
R, 18%
Market Research, 6%
Laboratory Procedures, 6%
Clinical Trials, 5%
MATLAB, 5%

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

Research Group Director vs. similar jobs

Research Group Director related careers

Research Group Director related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Research Group Director
Research Group Director vs Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs