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The differences between senior research associate scientists and medical science liaisons 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 research associate scientist and a medical science liaison. Additionally, a medical science liaison has an average salary of $145,718, which is higher than the $72,094 average annual salary of a senior research associate scientist.
The top three skills for a senior research associate scientist include cell culture, cell-based assays and data analysis. The most important skills for a medical science liaison are patients, medical affairs, and MSL.
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Yearly salary | $72,094 | $145,718 |
| Hourly rate | $34.66 | $70.06 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 90,457 | 57,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior research associate scientists serve a critical function assisting in the development of research. The senior research associate scientists support ongoing studies that have something to do with biometric identification, anti-drug or antibody detection, and cell functions, especially in our immune system. They should adjust well to fast-paced environments and apply their knowledge to various projects and experiments. They should be adept in doing cell-based experiments, techniques on a molecular level, and flow cytometry. Being detail-oriented and having strong communication skills can also help them become efficient in this field.
A medical science liaison (MSL) is a scientific professional who facilitates a working relationship between healthcare companies and leading physicians, researchers, and clinicians. Also referred to as key opinion leaders (KOL), medical science liaisons represent their company to the decision-makers in the medical community as well as to investors and government regulatory agencies. They analyze clinical trends and monitor the scientific literature for new developments in the medical community. Medical science liaisons also prepare medical samples and data to investigate the causes of chronic diseases, pathogens, and toxicity.
Senior research associate scientists and medical science liaisons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Average salary | $72,094 | $145,718 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $110,000 | Between $59,000 And $359,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Jackson, TN |
| Highest paying state | - | Tennessee |
| Best paying company | - | Saint Luke's Health System |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior research associate scientist and a medical science liaison in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between senior research associate scientists' and medical science liaisons' demographics:
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 23.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |