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The differences between clinical research managers and senior research associates 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 senior research associate. Additionally, a clinical research manager has an average salary of $96,504, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.
The top three skills for a clinical research manager include patients, oversight and FDA. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.
| Clinical Research Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $96,504 | $72,618 |
| Hourly rate | $46.40 | $34.91 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 100,000 | 58,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.
Clinical research managers and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $96,504 | $72,618 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $140,000 | Between $51,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Varian Medical Systems | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Government |
There are a few differences between a clinical research manager and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between clinical research managers' and senior research associates' demographics:
| Clinical Research Manager | Senior Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| 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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |