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Clinical research monitor vs clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research monitors and clinical 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 monitor and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a clinical research monitor has an average salary of $73,325, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a clinical research monitor include FDA, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Clinical research monitor vs clinical research associate overview

Clinical Research MonitorClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$73,325$62,966
Hourly rate$35.25$30.27
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs98,69094,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical research monitor do?

A clinical research monitor monitors all data, observations, information, and feedback from research and experiments. A clinical research monitor is essential in any research laboratory as accurate measurements and collation of data is essential for proper determination and interpretation. In the medical field of study, data accuracy is an absolute necessity as the prescribing of proper medication is only possible if the diagnosis is precise, based on accurate data results of tests. Other additional tasks of a clinical research monitor are organizing data, providing reports, and suggesting improvements in data gathering and monitoring.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Clinical research monitor vs clinical research associate salary

Clinical research monitors and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research MonitorClinical Research Associate
Average salary$73,325$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $114,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research monitor and clinical research associate education

There are a few differences between a clinical research monitor and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:

Clinical Research MonitorClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorNursingBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical research monitor vs clinical research associate demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research monitors' and clinical research associates' demographics:

Clinical Research MonitorClinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 11.4% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research monitor and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Clinical research monitor example 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.
  • Resolve CRF discrepancies and/or clarifications via site visit, telephone, email or fax as deemed appropriate for the study.
  • Prepare high quality site documents and collect country-specific information for IRB processes.
  • Show more

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
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Clinical research monitor vs clinical research associate skills

Common clinical research monitor skills
  • FDA, 12%
  • Clinical Trials, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 11%
  • IRB, 4%
  • ICH-GCP, 4%
  • Clinical Operations, 4%
Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%

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