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The differences between clinical associates and clinical trial managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical associate and a clinical trial manager. Additionally, a clinical trial manager has an average salary of $93,644, which is higher than the $91,027 average annual salary of a clinical associate.
The top three skills for a clinical associate include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a clinical trial manager are patients, clinical trial management, and clinical operations.
| Clinical Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $91,027 | $93,644 |
| Hourly rate | $43.76 | $45.02 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 56,977 | 60,284 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A clinical associate is responsible for supporting the operations of a medical facility by performing administrative and clerical duties as needed to provide high-quality care services for the patients and assisting health care professionals in performing medical procedures. Clinical associates monitor the conditions of the patients, administer medication, collect laboratory samples, and conduct initial medical assessments such as checking temperature and vital signs. A clinical associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on addressing different patients' needs and reporting the patients' progress to the physicians.
A clinical trial manager is primarily responsible for organizing and supervising clinical trials, ensuring to meet all goals while maintaining smooth operations. They are also responsible for collaborating with managers to set targets, hiring staff and participants for studies, and arranging the event. This planning includes its location and schedule. A clinical trial manager must also maintain documentation of all processes, liaise with scientists and key personnel, acquire necessary legal paperwork and certifications, and gather data accurately. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Clinical associates and clinical trial managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Average salary | $91,027 | $93,644 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $208,000 | Between $61,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | University of Iowa Center for Advancement | Editas Medicine |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical associate and a clinical trial manager in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical associates' and clinical trial managers' demographics:
| Clinical Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 8.6% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |