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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 | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $73,325 | $62,966 |
| Hourly rate | $35.25 | $30.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 98,690 | 94,336 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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 monitors and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Monitor | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $73,325 | $62,966 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $114,000 | Between $43,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research monitor and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Monitor | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical research monitors' and clinical research associates' demographics:
| Clinical Research Monitor | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |