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The differences between research leaders and leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a research leader, becoming a leader takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a research leader has an average salary of $107,345, which is higher than the $86,964 average annual salary of a leader.
The top three skills for a research leader include data collection, data analysis and market research. The most important skills for a leader are customer service, strong time management, and excellent interpersonal.
| Research Leader | Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $107,345 | $86,964 |
| Hourly rate | $51.61 | $41.81 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 77,051 | 172,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 37 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Research Leaders are academicians who oversee a group of researchers conducting a study. They are usually well-known researchers in their field of study or area of interest. They manage the group throughout the whole research process. They may orient them at the start of the engagement to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Research Leaders direct the group in identifying the resources needed, finding these resources, and eventually managing them. They also guide the team in conducting the research properly by providing strategic direction, sharing techniques, and helping them analyze the gathered data. With their experience in the field, Research Leaders usually provide frameworks that the team may work within.
Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
Research leaders and leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Leader | Leader | |
| Average salary | $107,345 | $86,964 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $178,000 | Between $49,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Maine |
| Best paying company | Meta | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a research leader and a leader in terms of educational background:
| Research Leader | Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between research leaders' and leaders' demographics:
| Research Leader | Leader | |
| Average age | 37 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |