Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between validation scientists and laboratory researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a validation scientist and a laboratory researcher. Additionally, a validation scientist has an average salary of $77,661, which is higher than the $27,760 average annual salary of a laboratory researcher.
The top three skills for a validation scientist include FDA, chemistry and GMP. The most important skills for a laboratory researcher are lab procedures, cell culture, and molecular biology.
| Validation Scientist | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $77,661 | $27,760 |
| Hourly rate | $37.34 | $13.35 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 48,711 | 57,359 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Validation Scientist evaluates and validates products and procedures through the scientific perspective, typically by conducting laboratory tests and experiments. They conduct extensive research and analysis to ensure that products comply with industry standards and specifications, utilizing the research findings to develop solutions and recommendations. They are also in charge of establishing guidelines and test plans, maintaining all procedures while adhering to protocols and regulations. Moreover, a Validation Scientist manages a team of validation staff, working together to reach project goals.
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Validation scientists and laboratory researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Validation Scientist | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average salary | $77,661 | $27,760 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $109,000 | Between $17,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | New Brunswick, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Education |
There are a few differences between a validation scientist and a laboratory researcher in terms of educational background:
| Validation Scientist | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between validation scientists' and laboratory researchers' demographics:
| Validation Scientist | Laboratory Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |