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The differences between senior scientists and senior research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior scientist, becoming a senior research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.
The top three skills for a senior scientist include patients, data analysis and molecular biology. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $106,672 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $51.28 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 49,712 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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 Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Senior scientists and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $106,672 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $153,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Government |
There are a few differences between a senior scientist and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior scientists' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| 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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |