Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior research investigators and laboratory researchers 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 investigator and a laboratory researcher. Additionally, a senior research investigator has an average salary of $90,336, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a senior research investigator include data analysis, drug discovery and chemistry. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| Senior Research Investigator | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $90,336 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $43.43 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 62,248 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Senior Research Investigator specializes in conducting extensive research and analysis to develop conclusions and recommendations. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or employment industry, it usually includes adhering to guidelines and timelines, narrowing down leads to gather and analyze data, consulting with experts, and maintaining records of all procedures. As a Senior Research Investigator, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model to less experienced investigators in the joint effort to reach project goals, all while implementing the facility's standards and regulations.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Senior research investigators and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Investigator | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $90,336 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $139,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Maine |
| Best paying company | Crunchbase | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Education |
There are a few differences between a senior research investigator and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Investigator | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior research investigators' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| Senior Research Investigator | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 24.9% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |