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The differences between scientists and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a scientist include chemistry, data analysis and patients. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $97,344 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $46.80 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 62,467 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $97,344 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $140,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |