How To Become A Clinical Research Monitor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a clinical research monitor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The primary job function of a clinical research monitor is to ensure that all research being conducted complies with the standards and policies of their organization. That said, they work closely with research personnel and spend most of their time observing research processes.

The essential job duties of a clinical research monitor include inspecting research progress reports, monitoring research sites, coordinating with research personnel, communicating with research participants (if there are any), participating in monitoring meetings, and creating reports based on their findings. They also report directly to their supervisor and are responsible for informing them of any deviances in project timelines.

The basic educational requirement for the role of a clinical research monitor is a bachelor's degree in nursing, public health, and other healthcare-related fields. Experience with research, either conducting or monitoring, is also a must. Moreover, a clinical research monitor must be highly detail-oriented and naturally inquisitive to ensure that all research in their organization is conducted properly.

ScoreClinical Research MonitorUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $73,325

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.41%

Black or African American 2.57%

Hispanic or Latino 15.16%

Unknown 7.58%

White 62.77%

Gender

female 70.27%

male 29.73%

Age - 43.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43.5

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a clinical research monitor

Explore clinical research monitor education requirements

Most common clinical research monitor degrees

Bachelor's

61.8 %

Master's

17.1 %

Doctorate

7.9 %

Start to develop specific clinical research monitor skills

Skills	Percentages
FDA	11.62%
Clinical Trials	11.35%
Informed Consent	11.31%
IRB	3.88%
ICH-GCP	3.74%

Complete relevant clinical research monitor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical research monitors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical research monitor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical research monitor resumes.

Research clinical research monitor duties and responsibilities

Manage a consultant to review scientific support and create dossiers on each product that make health claims in the EU.
Maintain CTMS project tracking system of subject and site information and essential documents.
Collect and review all initial regulatory documents from site for submission to IRB and sponsor.
Coordinate and conduct the training of site personnel on protocols, CRF review and conduct source document verification.

Prepare your clinical research monitor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical research monitor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical research monitor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical research monitor resume templates

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