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The differences between scientists and postdoctoral research 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 research associate. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a scientist include chemistry, data analysis and patients. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $97,344 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $46.80 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 62,467 | 59,377 |
| 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 research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Scientists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $97,344 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $140,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a scientist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Research 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 research associates' demographics:
| Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| 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, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |