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The differences between visiting researchers and postdoctoral scholars can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a visiting researcher and a postdoctoral scholar. Additionally, a visiting researcher has an average salary of $68,912, which is higher than the $57,587 average annual salary of a postdoctoral scholar.
The top three skills for a visiting researcher include python, java and climate. The most important skills for a postdoctoral scholar are chemistry, python, and patients.
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Yearly salary | $68,912 | $57,587 |
| Hourly rate | $33.13 | $27.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 14,622 | 18,983 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A visiting researcher is usually a postdoc, assistant, or associate professor who wants to carry out research or perform other professional development activity in an institution, and so they either visit or spend sabbaticals there. Their duties are largely dependent on the institution. However, they may be required to make presentations about your research during their stay. They may also be expected to contribute actively to on-going activities in any of the programs.
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
Visiting researchers and postdoctoral scholars have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average salary | $68,912 | $57,587 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $115,000 | Between $41,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a visiting researcher and a postdoctoral scholar in terms of educational background:
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Physics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between visiting researchers' and postdoctoral scholars' demographics:
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 28.3% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |