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Researcher vs doctor

The differences between researchers and doctors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a doctor has an average salary of $208,582, which is higher than the $67,145 average annual salary of a researcher.

The top three skills for a researcher include python, lab equipment and C++. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.

Researcher vs doctor overview

ResearcherDoctor
Yearly salary$67,145$208,582
Hourly rate$32.28$100.28
Growth rate17%7%
Number of jobs30,49814,571
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4148
Years of experience4-

What does a researcher do?

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.

What does a doctor do?

A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.

Researcher vs doctor salary

Researchers and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.

ResearcherDoctor
Average salary$67,145$208,582
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $119,000Between $106,000 And $408,000
Highest paying CityNewark, NJGreen Bay, WI
Highest paying stateConnecticutOhio
Best paying companyRenaissance LearningSaint Luke's Health System
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between researcher and doctor education

There are a few differences between a researcher and a doctor in terms of educational background:

ResearcherDoctor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBiologyMedicine
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Researcher vs doctor demographics

Here are the differences between researchers' and doctors' demographics:

ResearcherDoctor
Average age4148
Gender ratioMale, 50.9% Female, 49.1%Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%13%

Differences between researcher and doctor duties and responsibilities

Researcher example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
  • Perform cellular assays, DNA extractions, PCR, and sequencing to identify cellulase- producing soil bacteria.
  • Implement data visualization tools by Java.
  • Present research findings to select professors and professionals at scholar conferences.
  • Master techniques in biomedical science research methods.
  • Collaborate with doctorates in the field of immunology.
  • Show more

Doctor example responsibilities.

  • Manage conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, and GERD.
  • Develop personalize treatment plans, rehabilitation plans, exercise plans, report of findings, nutritional plans and narrative reports.
  • Perform patient x-rays, provide MRI consultations.
  • Perform x-rays of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
  • Hire, train, educate and monitor staff in HIPPA policies and procedures.
  • Create, update, and maintain confidential patient EHRs in compliance with all HIPAA laws and regulations.
  • Show more

Researcher vs doctor skills

Common researcher skills
  • Python, 12%
  • Lab Equipment, 9%
  • C++, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Data Collection, 4%
  • R, 4%
Common doctor skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Emergency Medicine, 5%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • DR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 3%

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