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The differences between clinical research assistants and associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate has an average salary of $69,556, which is higher than the $39,837 average annual salary of a clinical research assistant.
The top three skills for a clinical research assistant include patients, informed consent and data collection. The most important skills for an associate are customer service, sales floor, and patients.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $39,837 | $69,556 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $33.44 |
| Growth rate | 6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 97,380 | 569,041 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
Clinical research assistants are responsible for assisting with scientific studies and monitoring clinical trials. Other duties and responsibilities include ensuring compliance with clinical trial procedures and protocols, finding research subjects, and collecting and analyzing data. In addition, they are responsible for overseeing clinical site activities and preparing documentation, presentation, and correspondence on findings. They are also expected to prepare informed consent for clinical trials and conduct audits on research trials. The skills and qualifications required for this role include a bachelor's degree in psychology, science or related field, previous work experience, and excellent communication skills.
Associates are typically entry-level positions for employees who are taking on their first job or organizational role. They are assigned to teams or departments that are related to their skills or educational background. They usually start with smaller tasks that may not seem as impactful but are still essential to the department. Associates are trained by more tenured team members on the ins and outs of the department and the organization. As they grow with the organization, they are given more responsibilities that directly impact the results of the department's initiatives as they work towards their goals.
Clinical research assistants and associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Associate | |
| Average salary | $39,837 | $69,556 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $34,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and an associate in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | - |
Here are the differences between clinical research assistants' and associates' demographics:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 12.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |