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The differences between staff 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 staff scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a staff scientist has an average salary of $93,941, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a staff scientist include data analysis, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Staff Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $93,941 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $45.16 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 121,054 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
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.
Staff scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $93,941 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $137,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Etsy | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a staff scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Staff Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between staff scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Staff Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.6% 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% |