Senior laboratory scientist vs research scientist

The differences between senior laboratory scientists and research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior laboratory scientist and a research scientist. Additionally, a research scientist has an average salary of $89,998, which is higher than the $88,562 average annual salary of a senior laboratory scientist.

The top three skills for a senior laboratory scientist include GMP, FDA and cell culture. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.

Senior laboratory scientist vs research scientist overview

	Senior Laboratory Scientist	Research Scientist
Yearly salary	$88,562	$89,998
Hourly rate	$42.58	$43.27
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	77,364	93,013
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Senior laboratory scientist vs research scientist salary

Senior laboratory scientists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Laboratory Scientist	Research Scientist
Average salary	$88,562	$89,998
Salary range	Between $61,000 And $128,000	Between $58,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City	-	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Lyft
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between senior laboratory scientist and research scientist education

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

	Senior Laboratory Scientist	Research Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Senior laboratory scientist vs research scientist demographics

Here are the differences between senior laboratory scientists' and research scientists' demographics:

	Senior Laboratory Scientist	Research Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between senior laboratory scientist and research scientist duties and responsibilities

Senior laboratory scientist example responsibilities.

Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Enter results into LIMS database.
Generate reports and deliver of presentations to support submissions to FDA.
Establish quantitative, proprietary method for measurement of menstrual blood loss (now register with FDA).
Key activities include process chemistry development, synthesis of intermediates, compound purification and structure identification, and comprehensive scientific documentation.
Interpret metabolism data and review reports to support strategies forward thinking with a specialization in drug metabolism and metabolic enzymes.

Research scientist example responsibilities.

Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Used real-time PCR and DNA sequencing to troubleshoot and validate SNP base and gene expression assays.
Prepare clear technical presentations to NIH department heads in annual seminars.
Analyze chromatin dynamics during primordial germ cell specification with a CRISPR mouse model.
Identify impurities in final drug by LCMS and reject impurities with ethanol/water swish.

Senior laboratory scientist vs research scientist skills

Common senior laboratory scientist skills

GMP, 9%
FDA, 9%
Cell Culture, 9%
Analytical Methods, 7%
R, 6%
Method Development, 6%

Common research scientist skills

Python, 11%
Data Analysis, 6%
Patients, 6%
C++, 6%
Research Projects, 6%
Chemistry, 5%

Senior Laboratory Scientist vs. similar jobs

Senior Laboratory Scientist related careers

Senior Laboratory Scientist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Senior Laboratory Scientist
Senior Laboratory Scientist vs Research Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs