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The differences between student research assistants and graduate research students can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a graduate research student has an average salary of $34,658, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.
The top three skills for a student research assistant include lab equipment, student research and data collection. The most important skills for a graduate research student are lab equipment, laboratory equipment, and python.
| Student Research Assistant | Graduate Research Student | |
| Yearly salary | $27,475 | $34,658 |
| Hourly rate | $13.21 | $16.66 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 59,758 | 58,921 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A student research assistant is responsible for supporting the school's research department on conducting various research tasks using the techniques and resources provided by the supervising faculty. Student research assistants collect and verify research data, interpret and document findings using research methodologies, organize and prepare research materials, write research reports, and provide recommendations to improve research strategies and techniques. A student research assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and be a fast-learner to interpret data within a specific time.
Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.
Student research assistants and graduate research students have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Student Research Assistant | Graduate Research Student | |
| Average salary | $27,475 | $34,658 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $37,000 | Between $19,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Capgemini | |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a student research assistant and a graduate research student in terms of educational background:
| Student Research Assistant | Graduate Research Student | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between student research assistants' and graduate research students' demographics:
| Student Research Assistant | Graduate Research Student | |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |