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Clinical research monitor vs senior clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research monitors and senior 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 senior clinical research associate. Additionally, a senior clinical research associate has an average salary of $95,878, which is higher than the $73,325 average annual salary of a clinical research monitor.

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

Clinical research monitor vs senior clinical research associate overview

Clinical Research MonitorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$73,325$95,878
Hourly rate$35.25$46.10
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs98,69094,045
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
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 senior clinical research associate do?

A Senior Clinical Research Associate performs and coordinates all aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process. They design, implement, and monitor clinical trials.

Clinical research monitor vs senior clinical research associate salary

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

Clinical Research MonitorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Average salary$73,325$95,878
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $114,000Between $64,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Acorda Therapeutics
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research monitor and senior clinical research associate education

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

Clinical Research MonitorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorNursingBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Clinical research monitor vs senior clinical research associate demographics

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

Clinical Research MonitorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%
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, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 11.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research monitor and senior 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.
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Senior clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage a consultant to review scientific support and create dossiers on each product that make health claims in the EU.
  • Interact with FDA and other regulatory authorities to manage and facilitate approval of regulatory submissions.
  • Monitor U.S. sites in accordance with ICH and GCP guidelines.
  • Maintain investigators and subjects files, review investigators files for compliance with GCP and FDA regulations, review drug utilization records.
  • Verify informed consent procedures and protocol requirements base on applicable regulatory requirements to ensure protection of study patients.
  • Provide site management for both therapeutic and supportive care oncology protocols that are complex and require knowledge in advance therapeutic areas.
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Clinical research monitor vs senior 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 senior clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 6%
  • Oncology, 5%
  • CRA, 5%
  • Site Management, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%

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