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The differences between clinical research associates and clinical trials 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 associate and a clinical trials associate. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, 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 trials associate are informed consent, patients, and clinical operations.
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trials Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $62,966 | $74,952 |
| Hourly rate | $30.27 | $36.03 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 94,336 | 55,487 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 associate is in charge of coordinating and executing clinical trial operations, ensuring to meet all goals within budgets and deadlines. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing and processing necessary documentation and certifications, submitting requirements to government agencies, distributing essential materials within the clinical teams, and reviewing study sheets, ensuring every paperwork is complete and accurate. Furthermore, as a clinical trial associate, it is vital to lead while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Clinical research associates and clinical trials associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trials Associate | |
| Average salary | $62,966 | $74,952 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $46,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Dorsey & Whitney |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research associate and a clinical trials associate in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trials Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research associates' and clinical trials associates' demographics:
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Trials Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% | Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7% |
| 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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |