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The differences between researchers and practitioners 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 a practitioner takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a practitioner has an average salary of $84,058, 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 practitioner are patients, patient care, and social work.
| Researcher | Practitioner | |
| Yearly salary | $67,145 | $84,058 |
| Hourly rate | $32.28 | $40.41 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 40% |
| Number of jobs | 30,498 | 42,062 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| 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.
The duties of a practitioner depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the medical field, a practitioner is a doctor who provides medical services to patients according to their health issues or concerns, primarily by diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities include performing examinations and assessments, providing consultations and advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also maintain an active communication line with nurses and technicians for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Researchers and practitioners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Researcher | Practitioner | |
| Average salary | $67,145 | $84,058 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $119,000 | Between $50,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Renaissance Learning | Morgan Stanley |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a researcher and a practitioner in terms of educational background:
| Researcher | Practitioner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Biology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between researchers' and practitioners' demographics:
| Researcher | Practitioner | |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 77.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |