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The differences between visiting researchers and staff 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 visiting researcher and a staff scientist. Additionally, a staff scientist has an average salary of $93,941, which is higher than the $68,912 average annual salary of a visiting researcher.
The top three skills for a visiting researcher include python, java and climate. The most important skills for a staff scientist are data analysis, research projects, and molecular biology.
| Visiting Researcher | Staff Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $68,912 | $93,941 |
| Hourly rate | $33.13 | $45.16 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 14,622 | 121,054 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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.
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
Visiting researchers and staff scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visiting Researcher | Staff Scientist | |
| Average salary | $68,912 | $93,941 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $115,000 | Between $63,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Etsy |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a visiting researcher and a staff scientist in terms of educational background:
| Visiting Researcher | Staff Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Physics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between visiting researchers' and staff scientists' demographics:
| Visiting Researcher | Staff Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |