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The differences between researchers and graduate research students can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a researcher has an average salary of $67,145, which is higher than the $34,658 average annual salary of a graduate research student.
The top three skills for a researcher include python, lab equipment and C++. The most important skills for a graduate research student are lab equipment, laboratory equipment, and python.
| Researcher | Graduate Research Student | |
| Yearly salary | $67,145 | $34,658 |
| Hourly rate | $32.28 | $16.66 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 30,498 | 58,921 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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.
Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.
Researchers and graduate research students have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Researcher | Graduate Research Student | |
| Average salary | $67,145 | $34,658 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $119,000 | Between $19,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Renaissance Learning | Capgemini |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a researcher and a graduate research student in terms of educational background:
| Researcher | Graduate Research Student | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between researchers' and graduate research students' demographics:
| Researcher | Graduate Research Student | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| 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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |