Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between research scholars and laboratory researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a research scholar, becoming a laboratory researcher takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research scholar has an average salary of $58,047, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a research scholar include analyze data, C++ and original research. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| Research Scholar | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $58,047 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $27.91 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 51,721 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Research scholars are college students who perform on projects in a particular field for a university or organization. Generally, they work with professors and other professionals in the field of study and focus on discovering new information that can be produced in trade or academic journals. Also, they pursue intellectual and academic activities as well as may engaged in educating other researchers. They are usually paid a stipend for a set duration of time, and some may work outside the university.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Research scholars and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Scholar | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $58,047 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $92,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Maine |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a research scholar and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| Research Scholar | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research scholars' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| Research Scholar | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |