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The differences between clinical research coordinators and clinical research specialists 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 coordinator and a clinical research specialist. Additionally, a clinical research specialist has an average salary of $60,945, which is higher than the $52,459 average annual salary of a clinical research coordinator.
The top three skills for a clinical research coordinator include patients, informed consent and IRB. The most important skills for a clinical research specialist are patients, clinical trials, and informed consent.
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,459 | $60,945 |
| Hourly rate | $25.22 | $29.30 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 102,960 | 96,707 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A clinical research coordinator is a healthcare professional responsible for administering clinical trials of drugs or medications. Clinical research coordinators work under the supervision of clinical research managers to collect data and help inform trial participants about the study's objectives. They must ensure that these trials have met all regulations, including drug safety, government regulations, and the organization's code of ethics. Clinical research coordinators must obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing and have at least two years of healthcare experience.
An air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel. They also work on coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.
Clinical research coordinators and clinical research specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,459 | $60,945 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $72,000 | Between $42,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Genentech | Edwards Lifesciences |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research coordinator and a clinical research specialist in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research coordinators' and clinical research specialists' demographics:
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 10.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.0% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |