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The differences between senior research investigators and scientists 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 scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $90,336 average annual salary of a senior research investigator.
The top three skills for a senior research investigator include data analysis, drug discovery and chemistry. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.
| Senior Research Investigator | Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $90,336 | $97,344 |
| Hourly rate | $43.43 | $46.80 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 62,248 | 62,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Senior research investigators and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Investigator | Scientist | |
| Average salary | $90,336 | $97,344 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $139,000 | Between $67,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Crunchbase | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior research investigator and a scientist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Investigator | Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between senior research investigators' and scientists' demographics:
| Senior Research Investigator | Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |