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The differences between senior research specialists and research specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a senior research specialist and a research specialist. Additionally, a senior research specialist has an average salary of $65,071, which is higher than the $52,662 average annual salary of a research specialist.
The top three skills for a senior research specialist include data collection, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a research specialist are data collection, patients, and research projects.
| Senior Research Specialist | Research Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $65,071 | $52,662 |
| Hourly rate | $31.28 | $25.32 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 57,586 | 79,341 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Senior research specialists are professionals who manage a team of junior research specialists that develop objectives and design research projects and proposals. These senior specialists are required to conduct scientific experiments and perform data collection to provide test evaluation and research results. They are required to propose new techniques that could improve the research quality and productivity of the team while assisting in setting up new equipment. Senior research specialists must also develop standard operating procedures while adhering to the company's policies and safety guidelines to ensure safety in their workplace.
In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.
Senior research specialists and research specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Specialist | Research Specialist | |
| Average salary | $65,071 | $52,662 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $99,000 | Between $35,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | VMware | Novartis |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior research specialist and a research specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Specialist | Research Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between senior research specialists' and research specialists' demographics:
| Senior Research Specialist | Research Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% | Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.2% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |