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The differences between senior environmental scientists and associate environmental scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a senior environmental scientist and an associate environmental scientist. Additionally, a senior environmental scientist has an average salary of $82,812, which is higher than the $57,206 average annual salary of an associate environmental scientist.
The top three skills for a senior environmental scientist include environmental compliance, oversight and project management. The most important skills for an associate environmental scientist are patients, cleanliness, and patient rooms.
| Senior Environmental Scientist | Associate Environmental Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $82,812 | $57,206 |
| Hourly rate | $39.81 | $27.50 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 56,184 | 56,225 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A senior environmental scientist specializes in conducting studies to identify environmental problems and develop solutions to improve its condition. The daily responsibilities of a senior environmental scientist often depend on their place of employment. Still, they typically include performing research and analysis, conducting observations and interviews, gathering samples, preparing documentation, and spearheading laboratory experiments and procedures. Through their research findings, they must produce reports and presentations along with appropriate recommendations. Furthermore, as a senior scientist, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior scientists while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
An associate environmental scientist is in charge of conducting research and scientific studies concerning the environment and nature. Their responsibilities typically revolve around observing subject areas, gathering samples, performing analysis and experiments, and maintaining an extensive record of all procedures. They must also summarize their findings into comprehensive documents and presentations, reporting to head scientists as needed. Furthermore, there are instances when one may recommend new policies, participate in raising environmental awareness, and facilitate discussions at learning institutions.
Senior environmental scientists and associate environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Environmental Scientist | Associate Environmental Scientist | |
| Average salary | $82,812 | $57,206 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $113,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Technip USA Corporation | National Grid plc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior environmental scientist and an associate environmental scientist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Environmental Scientist | Associate Environmental Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior environmental scientists' and associate environmental scientists' demographics:
| Senior Environmental Scientist | Associate Environmental Scientist | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |