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The differences between clinical research assistants and research coordinators 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 research coordinator. Additionally, a research coordinator has an average salary of $48,974, 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 research coordinator are patients, informed consent, and data collection.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Research Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,837 | $48,974 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $23.55 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,380 | 65,406 |
| 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 research coordinator is responsible for assisting the development of research data from clinical trials and laboratory investigations under the supervision of a lead researcher or a research supervisor. In some cases, research coordinators conduct field investigations and analyze existing research materials upon understanding the scope and limitations of the study. They enter their findings and useful resources on the research database for reference to the research team. A research coordinator must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, especially on gathering data and coordinating with other researchers for the progress and updates of the study.
Clinical research assistants and research coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Research Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $39,837 | $48,974 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $35,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | BNP Paribas |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and a research coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Research Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Biology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Duke University |
Here are the differences between clinical research assistants' and research coordinators' demographics:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Research Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 29.1% Female, 70.9% |
| 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, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 10.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |