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The differences between researchers and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a researcher, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a researcher has an average salary of $67,145, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for a researcher include python, lab equipment and C++. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Researcher | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $67,145 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $32.28 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 30,498 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Researchers and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Researcher | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $67,145 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $119,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Renaissance Learning | University of California |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a researcher and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Researcher | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between researchers' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Researcher | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |