How To Become A Clinical Research Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

Q: Are clinical research coordinators nurses?

No, clinical research coordinators are not nurses. Instead, nurses sometimes switch careers to become clinical research coordinators. Registered nurses often have the appropriate skills, knowledge, and experience to transition to a career in clinical research.

Q: How do I start a career in clinical research?

To start a career in clinical research, start by getting relevant post-secondary education and experience. Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as nursing, biology, or biotechnology. Depending on the company and industry, they may also prefer a master's degree.

Q: How long does it take to become a clinical research coordinator?

It typically takes four to six years to become a clinical research coordinator. Clinical research coordinators are expected to gain a bachelor's degree in their designated field, which takes approximately four years. They are also expected to have some clinical experience from volunteer work, an internship, or a part-time job.

Q: Is a clinical research coordinator a good job?

Yes, being a clinical research coordinator is a good job due to its good salary range and employment growth. The average yearly salary for them is $50,000 or $24.48 hourly. On the lower end of the salary range, they might just make around $36,000. However, on the higher end, they can make $70,000 or more. As most jobs go, factors like industry, location, and experience can determine your salary.

Q: What do clinical research coordinators make?

Clinical research coordinators make an average yearly salary of $50,000 or $24.48 hourly. On the lower end of the salary range, they might just make around $36,000. However, on the higher end, they can make $70,000 or more. As most jobs go, factors like industry, location, and experience can determine your salary.

Q: What is the career path for a clinical research coordinator?

The career path for a clinical research coordinator includes jobs as a clinical research professional, a clinical research coordinator, and a clinical trial associate. Clinical research coordinators hold a bachelor's degree in public health or a related field, and some companies may require additional schooling, such as a master's degree.

What is a clinical research coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A clinical research coordinator helps manage and oversee clinical trials and studies. Their responsibilities include recruiting participants, coordinating studies, collecting data, ensuring compliance with regulations, and communicating with study sponsors and investigators. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that participants receive the best possible care. Clinical research coordinators play a crucial role in the development of medical advancements by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of clinical trial data.

ScoreClinical Research CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,459

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 10.69%

Black or African American 2.54%

Hispanic or Latino 14.71%

Unknown 7.52%

White 64.02%

Gender

female 80.01%

male 19.99%

Age - 43.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43.5

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a clinical research coordinator?

Pros

Flexibility in work schedule
Competitive salary and benefits package
Professional growth opportunities through continuing education and certification
Collaborative team environment
Access to a wide range of healthcare resources and information

Cons

Data management can be tedious and time-consuming
Frequent need to handle sensitive patient information with discretion
Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation within the role
Intense competition for funding and grants can create job insecurity
Potential for conflict with regulatory agencies or other stakeholders in the research process.

Key steps to become a clinical research coordinator

Explore clinical research coordinator education requirements

Most common clinical research coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

60.0 %

Master's

14.9 %

Associate

12.2 %

Start to develop specific clinical research coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	11.42%
Informed Consent	10.46%
IRB	6.85%
Data Collection	5.40%
Research Projects	4.08%

Complete relevant clinical research coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical research coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical research coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical research coordinator resumes.

Gain additional clinical research coordinator certifications

Clinical research coordinator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific clinical research coordinator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for clinical research coordinators include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).

More About Certifications

Research clinical research coordinator duties and responsibilities

Assess study participants for adverse reactions or complications and manage side effects of chemotherapy and other study relate drugs.
Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
Direct acquisition and analysis of functional MRI research data following GCP and FDA regulations
Prepare and maintain IRB and regulatory documentation for various research projects and consent patients for clinical research.

Prepare your clinical research coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical research coordinator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical research coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical research coordinator resume templates

Build a professional clinical research coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical research coordinator resume.

Apply for clinical research coordinator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a clinical research coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average clinical research coordinator salary

The average clinical research coordinator salary in the United States is $52,459 per year or $25 per hour. Clinical research coordinator salaries range between $37,000 and $72,000 per year.

Average clinical research coordinator salary

$52,459 Yearly

$25.22 hourly

Clinical research coordinator FAQs

What is a clinical research coordinator and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a clinical research coordinator?

Clinical research coordinator career paths

Key steps to become a clinical research coordinator

Explore clinical research coordinator education requirements

Most common clinical research coordinator degrees

Start to develop specific clinical research coordinator skills

Complete relevant clinical research coordinator training and internships

Gain additional clinical research coordinator certifications

Research clinical research coordinator duties and responsibilities

Prepare your clinical research coordinator resume

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical research coordinator resume templates

Apply for clinical research coordinator jobs

How did you land your first clinical research coordinator job

Average clinical research coordinator salary

How do clinical research coordinators rate their job?

Clinical research coordinator FAQs

Are clinical research coordinators nurses?

How do I start a career in clinical research?

How long does it take to become a clinical research coordinator?

Is a clinical research coordinator a good job?

What do clinical research coordinators make?

What is the career path for a clinical research coordinator?

Search for clinical research coordinator jobs

Clinical research coordinator jobs by state