Clinical data manager vs clinical research associate

The differences between clinical data managers and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a clinical data manager, becoming a clinical research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a clinical data manager has an average salary of $98,148, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a clinical data manager include patients, data collection and data management. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Clinical data manager vs clinical research associate overview

	Clinical Data Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Yearly salary	$98,148	$62,966
Hourly rate	$47.19	$30.27
Growth rate	31%	6%
Number of jobs	135,813	94,336
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	37	44
Years of experience	4	2

What does a clinical data manager do?

A clinical data manager is primarily responsible for recording and managing the data and results from various clinical trials and projects. Their duties revolve around establishing and maintaining a database, coordinating with team members and other departments to gather relevant information, developing different strategies for data management, mentoring less experienced colleagues, and monitoring the workforce's progress to ensure the accuracy of every data. Furthermore, as a manager, it is crucial to ensure that all processes comply with the state's laws and regulations and the company's policies.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Clinical data manager vs clinical research associate salary

Clinical data managers and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Data Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Average salary	$98,148	$62,966
Salary range	Between $68,000 And $139,000	Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	ZS	Meta
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between clinical data manager and clinical research associate education

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

	Clinical Data Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Duke University	University of Pennsylvania

Clinical data manager vs clinical research associate demographics

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

	Clinical Data Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Average age	37	44
Gender ratio	Male, 29.9% Female, 70.1%	Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 22.7% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between clinical data manager and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Clinical data manager example responsibilities.

Manage online survey execution and SPSS database for child substance abuse prevention program.
Manage all of the operational aspect of clinical trials in compliance with GCP regulations and Merck policy.
Lead training for new hire nurses and physicians in EMR system: develop training handouts and learning objectives
Manage CRO data management activities for the oncology clinical study.
Manage the biannual MedDRA upgrade implementation and the auto encoding optimization project
Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.

Clinical data manager vs clinical research associate skills

Common clinical data manager skills

Patients, 13%
Data Collection, 7%
Data Management, 5%
CRF, 4%
QC, 4%
Database Development, 4%

Common clinical research associate skills

Patients, 9%
Informed Consent, 7%
CRA, 6%
Clinical Trials, 6%
Clinical Trial Management, 5%
Oncology, 4%

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Clinical Data Manager vs Clinical Research Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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