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The differences between research staff members and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a research staff member, becoming a microbiologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a research staff member has an average salary of $110,035, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a research staff member include python, machine learning and research projects. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Research Staff Member | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $110,035 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $52.90 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 118,661 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Research Staff Member is a part of the research team who will assist in the entire research project. The staff member will work on various research stages and assist in collating information from different sources. One of the research staff members' responsibilities is to understand all facets of conducting research, get all government policies regarding the particular topic in research, and ensure that all procedures are legal and ethical. The research staff member is a broad term for a person part of a research team and is often given specific tasks when one is officially part of the team.
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Research staff members and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Staff Member | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $110,035 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $156,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | PARC | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a research staff member and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Research Staff Member | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between research staff members' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Research Staff Member | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |