Research scholar vs doctoral student

The differences between research scholars and doctoral students can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research scholar has an average salary of $58,047, which is higher than the $56,000 average annual salary of a doctoral student.

The top three skills for a research scholar include analyze data, C++ and original research. The most important skills for a doctoral student are C++, python, and java.

Research scholar vs doctoral student overview

	Research Scholar	Doctoral Student
Yearly salary	$58,047	$56,000
Hourly rate	$27.91	$26.92
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	51,721	15,502
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	2	-

Research scholar vs doctoral student salary

Research scholars and doctoral students have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Scholar	Doctoral Student
Average salary	$58,047	$56,000
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $92,000	Between $39,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	Google	-
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between research scholar and doctoral student education

There are a few differences between a research scholar and a doctoral student in terms of educational background:

	Research Scholar	Doctoral Student
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Harvard University	Stanford University

Research scholar vs doctoral student demographics

Here are the differences between research scholars' and doctoral students' demographics:

	Research Scholar	Doctoral Student
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%	Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between research scholar and doctoral student duties and responsibilities

Research scholar example responsibilities.

Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
Map DNA markers in the rice genome.
Develop a sensitive assay for evaluating replication stress and DNA damage with imaging cytometry.
Study the moisture absorption micro-mechanisms in glass-fiber/polymer composite materials using simulation and experimental methodologies (NSF research grant).
Design and implement numerical simulations of tsunami run-up in Fortran.
Prepare calibrators and reagents and investigate quantitative measurement of biochemicals by using HPLC and UV.

Doctoral student example responsibilities.

Manage multiple collaborative projects peripheral to dissertation that leverage experience in characterization and inorganic synthesis.
Lead the in-vitro biophysical and biochemical characterization of homologous recombination and investigate structure-function effects of mutant enzymes.
Used RT-PCR, ELISA, western blot, culture of establish cell lines, and immunohistochemistry.
Apply NMR techniques to assess the effect of a health supplement on neurological changes in Alzheimer s disease.
Analyze the molecular structures by NMR and FR-IR, determine the molecular weight and polymerization kinetics by GPC.
Develop complex ELISA and western blot methods to study and characterize the host immune response to intracellular parasitism.

Research scholar vs doctoral student skills

Common research scholar skills

Analyze Data, 7%
C++, 7%
Original Research, 6%
PCR, 6%
Molecular Biology, 5%
Data Analysis, 5%

Common doctoral student skills

C++, 15%
Python, 11%
Java, 10%
Cell Culture, 6%
Chemistry, 6%
Data Analysis, 5%

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Research Scholar vs Doctoral Student

Updated January 8, 2025

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