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The differences between staff scientists and research assistant professors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a staff scientist, becoming a research assistant professor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a staff scientist has an average salary of $93,941, which is higher than the $73,455 average annual salary of a research assistant professor.
The top three skills for a staff scientist include data analysis, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a research assistant professor are research projects, biomedical, and research program.
| Staff Scientist | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Yearly salary | $93,941 | $73,455 |
| Hourly rate | $45.16 | $35.31 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 121,054 | 62,395 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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 research assistant professor works part-time at colleges or universities where they focus on conducting research and extensive studies. They typically work under the supervision and directives of a professor and perform support tasks such as gathering and analyzing samples through different scientific procedures, completing interviews and surveys, performing experiments and assessments, maintaining records, and handling calls and other forms of correspondence. Additionally, a research assistant professor may also teach undergraduates and participate in preparing activities and curriculum materials.
Staff scientists and research assistant professors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Scientist | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Average salary | $93,941 | $73,455 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $137,000 | Between $52,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Etsy | Stanford University |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a staff scientist and a research assistant professor in terms of educational background:
| Staff Scientist | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between staff scientists' and research assistant professors' demographics:
| Staff Scientist | Research Assistant Professor | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% |
| 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, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |