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The differences between clinical research associates 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 associate and a clinical trial manager. Additionally, a clinical trial manager has an average salary of $93,644, 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 trial manager are patients, clinical trial management, and clinical operations.
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $62,966 | $93,644 |
| Hourly rate | $30.27 | $45.02 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 94,336 | 60,284 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 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 associates and clinical trial managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Average salary | $62,966 | $93,644 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $61,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Editas Medicine |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research associate and a clinical trial manager in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research associates' and clinical trial managers' demographics:
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trial Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| 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, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |