Toxicologist vs associate scientist

The differences between toxicologists and associate 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 toxicologist and an associate scientist. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $75,601 average annual salary of a toxicologist.

The top three skills for a toxicologist include risk assessments, chemistry and product safety. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.

Toxicologist vs associate scientist overview

	Toxicologist	Associate Scientist
Yearly salary	$75,601	$76,461
Hourly rate	$36.35	$36.76
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	21,835	54,950
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a toxicologist do?

A toxicologist specializes in studying toxic substances and how it affects living organisms such as humans and animals. They may work at learning institutions, private laboratories or businesses, medical facilities, and even government agencies. Although the extent of their duties varies on their place of employment, it typically includes conducting studies and scientific research, coordinating with fellow experts, gathering and processing samples through various laboratory procedures, maintaining records, and drawing conclusions based on the research findings.

What does an associate scientist do?

An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.

Toxicologist vs associate scientist salary

Toxicologists and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Toxicologist	Associate Scientist
Average salary	$75,601	$76,461
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $124,000	Between $53,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City	Paramus, NJ	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Exxon Mobil	Phillips 66
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between toxicologist and associate scientist education

There are a few differences between a toxicologist and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:

	Toxicologist	Associate Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Toxicologist vs associate scientist demographics

Here are the differences between toxicologists' and associate scientists' demographics:

	Toxicologist	Associate Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 51.5% Female, 48.5%	Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 23.3% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between toxicologist and associate scientist duties and responsibilities

Toxicologist example responsibilities.

Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Review in-house and contract toxicology studies on Monsanto products to ensure compliance with FDA and EPA regulations.
Evaluate, verify and certify patient results from multiple levels of testing; ELISA, LCMS, MSMS
Review and report both positive and negative initial drug screening data from the laboratory, and release results into the LIS.
Compile computer database of FDA regulatory compliance data.
Lead selection of CROs and qualification activities.

Associate scientist example responsibilities.

Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Generate crispr knockout STAT1, STAT3 and STAT1 & 3double knockout cell lines.
Use CRISPR technology to create target knockout cell line.
Direct ISO 9000 4.10 team registration activities and perform internal audits.
Prepare stock reagents and buffers for use in manufacturing assay kits.
Confirm the quality of product meet specifications according to cGMP and ICH guidelines.

Toxicologist vs associate scientist skills

Common toxicologist skills

Risk Assessments, 13%
Chemistry, 10%
Product Safety, 6%
FDA, 6%
Toxicology Studies, 5%
Safety Assessments, 4%

Common associate scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Patients, 8%
Cell Culture, 5%
Data Analysis, 5%
GMP, 4%
Lab Equipment, 3%

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Toxicologist vs Associate Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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