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The differences between research laboratory managers and research 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 a research scientist. Additionally, a research scientist has an average salary of $89,998, 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 a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,333 | $89,998 |
| Hourly rate | $30.93 | $43.27 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 89,981 | 93,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
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 laboratory managers and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $64,333 | $89,998 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $91,000 | Between $58,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Lyft |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a research laboratory manager and a research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research laboratory managers' and research scientists' demographics:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8% | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |