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The differences between researchers and professors 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 professor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a professor has an average salary of $157,570, 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 professor are philosophy, curriculum development, and mathematics.
| Researcher | Professor | |
| Yearly salary | $67,145 | $157,570 |
| Hourly rate | $32.28 | $75.75 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 30,498 | 21,861 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 41 | 46 |
| 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.
A professor is a teaching professional who provides instructions to students on various academic and vocational subjects in colleges, universities, and vocational schools. Professors design curriculums for courses and ensure that they meet college and department students. They continuously conduct research and experiments so that advanced knowledge in their field is completed. They share their research and works by publishing them in books and academic journals. They also provide assistance to graduating students.
Researchers and professors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Researcher | Professor | |
| Average salary | $67,145 | $157,570 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $119,000 | Between $88,000 And $280,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Renaissance Learning | Oregon Health & Science University |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a researcher and a professor in terms of educational background:
| Researcher | Professor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between researchers' and professors' demographics:
| Researcher | Professor | |
| Average age | 41 | 46 |
| 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, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.8% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 16% |