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The differences between senior research investigators and 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 researcher. Additionally, a senior research investigator has an average salary of $90,336, which is higher than the $67,145 average annual salary of a researcher.
The top three skills for a senior research investigator include data analysis, drug discovery and chemistry. The most important skills for a researcher are python, lab equipment, and C++.
| Senior Research Investigator | Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $90,336 | $67,145 |
| Hourly rate | $43.43 | $32.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 62,248 | 30,498 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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.
A researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
Senior research investigators and researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Investigator | Researcher | |
| Average salary | $90,336 | $67,145 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $139,000 | Between $37,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Crunchbase | Renaissance Learning |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a senior research investigator and a researcher in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Investigator | Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between senior research investigators' and researchers' demographics:
| Senior Research Investigator | Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% |
| 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% |