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The differences between staff scientists and principal research scientists 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 principal research scientist. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $93,941 average annual salary of a staff scientist.
The top three skills for a staff scientist include data analysis, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a principal research scientist are research projects, principal research, and data analysis.
| Staff Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $93,941 | $127,191 |
| Hourly rate | $45.16 | $61.15 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 121,054 | 126,911 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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.
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
Staff scientists and principal research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $93,941 | $127,191 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $137,000 | Between $87,000 And $184,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Etsy | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a staff scientist and a principal research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Staff Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between staff scientists' and principal research scientists' demographics:
| Staff Scientist | Principal Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |