Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between clinical research assistants and clinical trial managers 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 trial manager. Additionally, a clinical trial manager has an average salary of $93,644, 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 trial manager are patients, clinical trial management, and clinical operations.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $39,837 | $93,644 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $45.02 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,380 | 60,284 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 trial manager is primarily responsible for organizing and supervising clinical trials, ensuring to meet all goals while maintaining smooth operations. They are also responsible for collaborating with managers to set targets, hiring staff and participants for studies, and arranging the event. This planning includes its location and schedule. A clinical trial manager must also maintain documentation of all processes, liaise with scientists and key personnel, acquire necessary legal paperwork and certifications, and gather data accurately. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Clinical research assistants and clinical trial managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Average salary | $39,837 | $93,644 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $61,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Editas Medicine |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and a clinical trial manager in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 trial managers' demographics:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| 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, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |