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The differences between senior research associates and principal research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior research associate, becoming a principal research scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.
The top three skills for a senior research associate include patients, data analysis and CRISPR. The most important skills for a principal research scientist are research projects, principal research, and data analysis.
| Senior Research Associate | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $72,618 | $127,191 |
| Hourly rate | $34.91 | $61.15 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 58,903 | 126,911 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
Senior research associates and principal research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Associate | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $72,618 | $127,191 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $102,000 | Between $87,000 And $184,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | |
| Best paying industry | Government | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a senior research associate and a principal research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Associate | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior research associates' and principal research scientists' demographics:
| Senior Research Associate | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |