How do I become a good clinical project manager?

You can become a good clinical project manager by first obtaining a bachelor's degree. Generally, a focus on a medical subject, such as Nursing or Life Sciences, is required. Another step you can take in order to become a good clinical project manager is to gain experience working within the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

How much does a clinical project manager make?

A clinical project manager in the U.S. makes an average of about $96,000 a year. However, this salary can vary greatly, as clinical project managers have reported anywhere from about $62,000 a year to about $134,000 a year.

What qualifications do you need to be a project manager?

The qualifications required to become a project manager depend on the industry you're working in. Because of the large scope of responsibilities, the project manager needs to have had a relevant education. Typically candidates have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science or business.

How To Become A Clinical Project Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a clinical project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A clinical project manager supervises clinical trials to ensure proper timing, budget, and compliance. They manage the projectâ€™s planning, coordination, communication, risk management, and leadership. Clinical project managers work with sponsors, investigators, vendors, and other stakeholders to meet study objectives and deliver quality data. They also manage resources, monitor progress, and report findings. Overall, a clinical project manager promotes the successful execution of clinical trials and the development of new treatments and therapies.

ScoreClinical Project ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $100,510

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 10.77%

Black or African American 2.56%

Hispanic or Latino 15.02%

Unknown 7.56%

White 63.57%

Gender

female 67.53%

male 32.47%

Age - 43.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43.5

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a clinical project manager?

Pros

High salary potential
Opportunity for growth and advancement
Possibility of travel
Job security in a growing industry
Flexibility in work arrangements

Cons

High workload and long hours
Constant pressure to meet deadlines
Potential for high stress levels
Risk of burnout due to the intensity of the work
Limited control over study design and outcomes

Key steps to become a clinical project manager

Explore clinical project manager education requirements

Most common clinical project manager degrees

Bachelor's

59.9 %

Master's

22.4 %

Associate

8.9 %

Start to develop specific clinical project manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Manage Cross	11.65%
Patients	8.81%
Clinical Research	7.57%
Project Management	7.48%
Clinical Trials	5.46%

Complete relevant clinical project manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical project managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical project manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical project manager resumes.

Gain additional clinical project manager certifications

Clinical project manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific clinical project manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for clinical project managers include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA).

More About Certifications

Research clinical project manager duties and responsibilities

Develop, manage, motivate and ensure professional development of project staff (13 CRAs).
Manage domestic and international oncology clinical study sites.
Manage multiple pharmaceutical studies ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines.
Manage the operational aspects and execution of clinical studies focusing on oncology.

Prepare your clinical project manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical project manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical project manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical project manager resume templates

Build a professional clinical project manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical project manager resume.