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The differences between senior scientists and postdoctoral associates 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 scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a senior scientist include patients, data analysis and molecular biology. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Senior Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $106,672 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $51.28 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 49,712 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Senior scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $106,672 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $153,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Education |
There are a few differences between a senior scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Senior Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Senior Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |