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The differences between researchers and laboratory researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a researcher and a laboratory researcher. Additionally, a researcher has an average salary of $67,145, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a researcher include python, lab equipment and C++. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $67,145 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $32.28 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 30,498 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 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.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Researchers and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $67,145 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $119,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Maine |
| Best paying company | Renaissance Learning | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a researcher and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between researchers' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| Researcher | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |