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The differences between technical 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 technical scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a technical scientist has an average salary of $90,867, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a technical scientist include molecular biology, GMP and data analysis. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $90,867 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $43.69 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 112,408 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Technical Scientist is responsible for using established literature on laboratory techniques and basic scientific experimentation to improve processes and products. Their duties include developing solutions for routine and non-routine problems, evaluating workflow progress against objectives, inspect scientific data, and present laboratory results, and contribute to the implementation of new processes within a team. They must ensure compliance with safe working practice, quality standards, and its relevant environment and risk management system workplace guidelines. A Technical Scientist must have advanced knowledge in data analysis tools such as spreadsheets and have well-rounded communication skills for effective presentation to a wide demographic.
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.
Technical scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $90,867 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $125,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Apple | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a technical scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between technical scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% 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% |