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The differences between social scientists and senior scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $71,150 average annual salary of a social scientist.
The top three skills for a social scientist include statistical analysis, data collection and social science research. The most important skills for a senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.
| Social Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $71,150 | $106,672 |
| Hourly rate | $34.21 | $51.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 73,796 | 49,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A social scientist conducts studies and spearheads research projects that focus on society and human behavior. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies upon their industry or institution of employment, it usually includes planning procedures according to research requirements, identifying and coordinating with research subjects, conducting surveys and interviews, and gathering and analyzing various data. Through the findings of their research, a social scientist generates conclusions and recommendations that will determine or support future efforts. When it comes to employment, a social scientist may work for government agencies, private companies, facilities, or even become an instructor at learning institutions.
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.
Social scientists and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average salary | $71,150 | $106,672 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $116,000 | Between $74,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | California |
| Best paying company | Booz Allen Hamilton | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Government | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a social scientist and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:
| Social Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Anthropology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | Duke University |
Here are the differences between social scientists' and senior scientists' demographics:
| Social Scientist | Senior Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |