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The differences between clinical research assistants and clinical 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 research assistant and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, 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 a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $39,837 | $62,966 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $30.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,380 | 94,336 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 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.
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 research assistants and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $39,837 | $62,966 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $43,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research assistants' and clinical research associates' demographics:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| 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, 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% |