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Clinical Research Manager Vs Study Director

The differences between clinical research managers and study directors 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 study director. Additionally, a clinical research manager has an average salary of $96,504, which is higher than the $82,066 average annual salary of a study director.

The top three skills for a clinical research manager include patients, oversight and FDA. The most important skills for a study director are toxicology, data collection, and study design.

Clinical research manager vs study director overview

Clinical Research ManagerStudy Director
Yearly Salary$96,504$82,066
Hourly rate$46.40$39.45
Growth Rate6%6%
Number Of Jobs100,0006,789
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average Age4444
Years Of Experience22

What does a Clinical Research Manager do?

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.

What does a study director do?

Technically, a study director carries out scientific responsibilities for protocol design or study plan and approval. Study directors supervise the gathering, analysis, interpretation, documentation, and reporting of data results. They handle the matriculation of students with regard to data management system development. Working with the computer systems team is part of their duties so they will be able to establish a data management system in tracking the study participants. They also support the toxicology team or group on different project teams.

Clinical research manager vs study director salary

Clinical research managers and study directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research ManagerStudy Director
Average Salary$96,504$82,066
Salary RangeBetween $66,000 And $140,000Between $56,000 And $118,000
Highest Paying CitySouth San Francisco, CASacramento, CA
Highest Paying StateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best Paying CompanyVarian Medical SystemsAbbVie
Best Paying IndustryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical research manager and study director education

There are a few differences between a clinical research manager and a study director in terms of educational background:

Clinical Research ManagerStudy Director
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most Common MajorNursingBiology
Most Common CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Clinical research manager vs study director demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research managers' and study directors' demographics:

Clinical Research ManagerStudy Director
Average Age4444
Gender RatioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%
Race RatioBlack 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, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 12.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research manager and study director duties and responsibilities

Clinical Research Manager Example Responsibilities.

  • Launch and manage a regional CRA monitoring group that grow to 100 plus staff in two years.
  • Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
  • Prepare applications to have studies approve by hospital's institutional review board (IRB) and help present study to IRB.
  • Develop an open access communication method for patients to discuss their questions and/or concerns with the principal investigators.
  • Major contributor to the NDA for both Depo-Provera contraceptive as well as Caverject for erectile dysfunction.
  • Interview, select, train, and monitor all clinical sites; negotiate site and CRO budgets.
    • Show More

Study Director Example Responsibilities.

  • Design, conducts and manages studies for EPA and oce compliance, such as water solubility and partition coefficient studies.
  • Manage all outsource toxicology studies at contract research laboratories.
  • Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
  • Evaluate study design and toxicology data as needed.
  • Consult drug development scientists on data interpretation and study conclusions for FDA submission.
  • Participate on the ISO certification team.
    • Show More

Clinical research manager vs study director skills

Common Clinical Research Manager Skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Data Management, 4%
Common Study Director Skills
  • Toxicology, 10%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Study Design, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • FDA, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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