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The differences between senior research associates and research managers 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 research manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a research manager has an average salary of $82,894, 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 research manager are market research, analytics, and quantitative research.
| Senior Research Associate | Research Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $72,618 | $82,894 |
| Hourly rate | $34.91 | $39.85 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 58,903 | 48,867 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
A Research Manager performs research, data collection, and economic, statistical, and demographic analysis. They also determine and implement research and development strategies, policies, and plans.
Senior research associates and research managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Associate | Research Manager | |
| Average salary | $72,618 | $82,894 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $102,000 | Between $51,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior research associate and a research manager in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Associate | Research Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between senior research associates' and research managers' demographics:
| Senior Research Associate | Research Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% | Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.1% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 10% |