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The differences between clinical research assistants and senior 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 senior research associate. Additionally, a senior research associate has an average salary of $72,618, 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 senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $39,837 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,380 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Clinical research assistants and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $39,837 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between clinical research assistants' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| 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, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |