Clinical research associate vs research administrator

The differences between clinical research associates and research administrators 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 research administrator. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, which is higher than the $52,667 average annual salary of a research administrator.

The top three skills for a clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and CRA. The most important skills for a research administrator are research administration, customer service, and principal investigators.

Clinical research associate vs research administrator overview

	Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Yearly salary	$62,966	$52,667
Hourly rate	$30.27	$25.32
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	94,336	99,798
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a clinical research associate do?

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.

What does a research administrator do?

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Clinical research associate vs research administrator salary

Clinical research associates and research administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Average salary	$62,966	$52,667
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $91,000	Between $41,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Meta	Kronos Incorporated
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between clinical research associate and research administrator education

There are a few differences between a clinical research associate and a research administrator in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Clinical research associate vs research administrator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research associates' and research administrators' demographics:

	Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%
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, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between clinical research associate and research administrator duties and responsibilities

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.

Research administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.

Clinical research associate vs research administrator skills

Common clinical research associate skills

Patients, 9%
Informed Consent, 7%
CRA, 6%
Clinical Trials, 6%
Clinical Trial Management, 5%
Oncology, 4%

Common research administrator skills

Research Administration, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Principal Investigators, 7%
PIS, 6%
Pre-award, 6%
Payroll, 5%

Clinical Research Associate vs. similar jobs

Clinical Research Associate related careers

Clinical Research Associate related jobs

Clinical Research Associate jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associate vs Research Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs