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The differences between clinical research managers 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 manager and a research administrator. Additionally, a clinical research manager has an average salary of $96,504, which is higher than the $52,667 average annual salary of a research administrator.
The top three skills for a clinical research manager include patients, oversight and FDA. The most important skills for a research administrator are research administration, customer service, and principal investigators.
| Clinical Research Manager | Research Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $96,504 | $52,667 |
| Hourly rate | $46.40 | $25.32 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 100,000 | 99,798 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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 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 managers and research administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Manager | Research Administrator | |
| Average salary | $96,504 | $52,667 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $140,000 | Between $41,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Varian Medical Systems | Kronos Incorporated |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a clinical research manager and a research administrator in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Manager | Research Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between clinical research managers' and research administrators' demographics:
| Clinical Research Manager | Research Administrator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| 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, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |