Scientist vs laboratory analyst

The differences between scientists and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a scientist, becoming a laboratory analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $44,024 average annual salary of a laboratory analyst.

The top three skills for a scientist include chemistry, data analysis and patients. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Scientist vs laboratory analyst overview

	Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$97,344	$44,024
Hourly rate	$46.80	$21.17
Growth rate	17%	9%
Number of jobs	62,467	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	41	38
Years of experience	4	2

What does a scientist do?

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Scientist vs laboratory analyst salary

Scientists and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$97,344	$44,024
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $140,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Redwood City, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Airbnb	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Technology	Pharmaceutical

Differences between scientist and laboratory analyst education

There are a few differences between a scientist and a laboratory analyst in terms of educational background:

	Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	University of Southern California	Stanford University

Scientist vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between scientists' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Scientist	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	41	38
Gender ratio	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between scientist and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Scientist vs laboratory analyst skills

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Scientist vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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