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Clinical associate vs senior research associate

The differences between clinical associates and senior research associates 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 senior research associate. Additionally, a clinical associate has an average salary of $91,027, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.

The top three skills for a clinical associate include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.

Clinical associate vs senior research associate overview

Clinical AssociateSenior Research Associate
Yearly salary$91,027$72,618
Hourly rate$43.76$34.91
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs56,97758,903
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical associate do?

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.

What does a senior research associate do?

A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.

Clinical associate vs senior research associate salary

Clinical associates and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical AssociateSenior Research Associate
Average salary$91,027$72,618
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $208,000Between $51,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CityBaltimore, MDSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of Iowa Center for AdvancementThe Citadel
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between clinical associate and senior research associate education

There are a few differences between a clinical associate and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:

Clinical AssociateSenior Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorNursingBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityStanford University

Clinical associate vs senior research associate demographics

Here are the differences between clinical associates' and senior research associates' demographics:

Clinical AssociateSenior Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 28.0% Female, 72.0%Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical associate and senior research associate duties and responsibilities

Clinical associate example responsibilities.

  • Perform EKG's, placement of cardiac leads and telemetry unit (critical care only).
  • Manage patient caseload with emphasis in occupational rehabilitation
  • Assist nurses and doctors with procedures, EKG monitoring, clinical duties, clerical duties.
  • Assist with project plan management, FDA submission paperwork, and tracking of contingency plans / appropriate triggers.
  • Experience with communication with professional staff regarding pertinent observations concerning conditions of patients.
  • Participate in disease diagnosis and treatment in the department of internal medicine and pediatrics
  • Show more

Senior research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Develop, implement and optimize HPLC and ELISA assays in support of cell line and process development.
  • Provide purification service with rp-LCMS, np- HPLC, and MPLC, as well QC data including UPLC-MS and NMR.
  • Engineer and design a unique CRISPR cloning system for the group.
  • Apply the CRISPR technology to conduct gene editing in human IPSCs.
  • Develop an identity ELISA assay to detect the presence of competing and irrelevant drug products in manufacturing process.
  • Show more

Clinical associate vs senior research associate skills

Common clinical associate skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common senior research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • CRISPR, 6%
  • Molecular Biology, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
  • Flow Cytometry, 4%

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