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The differences between research laboratory managers and associate 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 laboratory manager and an associate scientist. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $64,333 average annual salary of a research laboratory manager.
The top three skills for a research laboratory manager include lab equipment, research projects and lab safety. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,333 | $76,461 |
| Hourly rate | $30.93 | $36.76 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 89,981 | 54,950 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Research laboratory managers are management professionals who are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of laboratories by implementing safety lab procedures. These managers are required to coordinate the repair and maintenance of lab equipment while training lab technicians and assistants on the correct use of equipment. They must perform experimental studies and analyze the research data collected for research projects. Research laboratory managers must also manage the inventory of laboratory equipment while coordinating the purchase of lab supplies.
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
Research laboratory managers and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $64,333 | $76,461 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $91,000 | Between $53,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a research laboratory manager and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between research laboratory managers' and associate scientists' demographics:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8% | Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |