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The differences between clinical research associates and clinical research 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 associate and a clinical research manager. Additionally, a clinical research manager has an average salary of $96,504, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.
The top three skills for a clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and CRA. The most important skills for a clinical research manager are patients, oversight, and FDA.
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Research Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $62,966 | $96,504 |
| Hourly rate | $30.27 | $46.40 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 94,336 | 100,000 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A clinical research manager is responsible for leading a clinical research team in conducting clinical trials for medical purposes. Clinical research managers conduct scientific investigations, following critical methods and procedures within the budget goals and discussed timeframe. They monitor the adequacy of laboratory tools and equipment, request purchase orders, and ensure the authenticity of the materials for the accuracy of findings. A clinical research manager also enforces strict safety standards and protocols during clinical trials to avoid potential hazards and chemical contamination.
Clinical research associates and clinical research managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Research Manager | |
| Average salary | $62,966 | $96,504 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $66,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Varian Medical Systems |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research associate and a clinical research manager in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Research Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research associates' and clinical research managers' demographics:
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Research Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% | Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |