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The differences between clinical research managers and clinical project 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 manager and a clinical project manager. Additionally, a clinical project manager has an average salary of $100,510, which is higher than the $96,504 average annual salary of a clinical research manager.
The top three skills for a clinical research manager include patients, oversight and FDA. The most important skills for a clinical project manager are manage cross, patients, and clinical research.
| Clinical Research Manager | Clinical Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $96,504 | $100,510 |
| Hourly rate | $46.40 | $48.32 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 100,000 | 153,837 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A clinical research manager is responsible for leading a clinical research team in conducting clinical trials for medical purposes. Clinical research managers conduct scientific investigations, following critical methods and procedures within the budget goals and discussed timeframe. They monitor the adequacy of laboratory tools and equipment, request purchase orders, and ensure the authenticity of the materials for the accuracy of findings. A clinical research manager also enforces strict safety standards and protocols during clinical trials to avoid potential hazards and chemical contamination.
A clinical project manager specializes in developing and organizing clinical trials. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and coordinating with all necessary personnel and experts, scheduling meetings, and preparing necessary documentation, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. Moreover, a clinical project manager must devise strategies and train all staff, develop protocols and guidelines, coordinate with vendors and suppliers, evaluate staff and verify documentation, and assist in all activities to ensure that every process aligns with the project's agenda. Should there be any issues or concerns, a clinical project manager must conduct corrective measures right away.
Clinical research managers and clinical project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Manager | Clinical Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $96,504 | $100,510 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $140,000 | Between $74,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Varian Medical Systems | Intuitive Surgical |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research manager and a clinical project manager in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Manager | Clinical Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research managers' and clinical project managers' demographics:
| Clinical Research Manager | Clinical Project Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5% | Male, 32.5% Female, 67.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |