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The differences between clinical associates and nurses 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 nurse. Additionally, a clinical associate has an average salary of $91,027, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.
The top three skills for a clinical associate include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.
| Clinical Associate | Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $91,027 | $57,564 |
| Hourly rate | $43.76 | $27.68 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 56,977 | 696,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| 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.
Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.
Clinical associates and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Associate | Nurse | |
| Average salary | $91,027 | $57,564 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $208,000 | Between $38,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | University of Iowa Center for Advancement | Conviva |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a clinical associate and a nurse in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Associate | Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between clinical associates' and nurses' demographics:
| Clinical Associate | Nurse | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |