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The differences between senior scientists and senior research fellows 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 senior research fellow. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $62,129 average annual salary of a senior research fellow.
The top three skills for a senior scientist include patients, data analysis and molecular biology. The most important skills for a senior research fellow are python, research projects, and data analysis.
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Yearly salary | $106,672 | $62,129 |
| Hourly rate | $51.28 | $29.87 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 49,712 | 53,535 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.
Senior scientists and senior research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Average salary | $106,672 | $62,129 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $153,000 | Between $40,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | - |
There are a few differences between a senior scientist and a senior research fellow in terms of educational background:
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior scientists' and senior research fellows' demographics:
| Senior Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |