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The differences between research specialists and senior research associates 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 specialist, becoming a senior research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior research associate has an average salary of $72,618, which is higher than the $52,662 average annual salary of a research specialist.
The top three skills for a research specialist include data collection, patients and research projects. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $52,662 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $25.32 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 79,341 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.
A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Research specialists and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $52,662 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $77,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Novartis | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a research specialist and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between research specialists' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |