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The differences between research laboratory managers and senior 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 senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, 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 senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,333 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $30.93 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 89,981 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| 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.
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Research laboratory managers and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $64,333 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $91,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a research laboratory manager and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research laboratory managers' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |