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Clinical research specialist vs clinical project manager

The differences between clinical research specialists and clinical project managers 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 specialist and a clinical project manager. Additionally, a clinical project manager has an average salary of $100,510, which is higher than the $60,945 average annual salary of a clinical research specialist.

The top three skills for a clinical research specialist include patients, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a clinical project manager are manage cross, patients, and clinical research.

Clinical research specialist vs clinical project manager overview

Clinical Research SpecialistClinical Project Manager
Yearly salary$60,945$100,510
Hourly rate$29.30$48.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs96,707153,837
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical research specialist do?

An air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel. They also work on coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.

What does a clinical project manager do?

A clinical project manager specializes in developing and organizing clinical trials. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and coordinating with all necessary personnel and experts, scheduling meetings, and preparing necessary documentation, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. Moreover, a clinical project manager must devise strategies and train all staff, develop protocols and guidelines, coordinate with vendors and suppliers, evaluate staff and verify documentation, and assist in all activities to ensure that every process aligns with the project's agenda. Should there be any issues or concerns, a clinical project manager must conduct corrective measures right away.

Clinical research specialist vs clinical project manager salary

Clinical research specialists and clinical project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research SpecialistClinical Project Manager
Average salary$60,945$100,510
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $87,000Between $74,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyEdwards LifesciencesIntuitive Surgical
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research specialist and clinical project manager education

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

Clinical Research SpecialistClinical Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical research specialist vs clinical project manager demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research specialists' and clinical project managers' demographics:

Clinical Research SpecialistClinical Project Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.5% Female, 70.5%Male, 32.5% Female, 67.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.0% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research specialist and clinical project manager duties and responsibilities

Clinical research specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the input of the subjects' data among various management database including iMedidata, EDC.
  • Develop and project manage a staffing program model to support inpatient oncology.
  • Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
  • Review and edit clinical documentation for FDA submission and approval.
  • Prepare investigator initiate and industry study protocol for IRB review and approval.
  • Participate in study developments to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and guidelines.
  • Show more

Clinical project manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop, manage, motivate and ensure professional development of project staff (13 CRAs).
  • Manage domestic and international oncology clinical study sites.
  • Manage multiple pharmaceutical studies ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines.
  • Manage the operational aspects and execution of clinical studies focusing on oncology.
  • Supervise rotating team of CRA's contract with the CRO, educating on therapeutic area, and ensuring ICH GCP compliance.
  • Ensure GCP / ICH regulatory compliance on studies, preventing study deviations and provide swift resolutions to possible violations.
  • Show more

Clinical research specialist vs clinical project manager skills

Common clinical research specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Clinical Trials, 8%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • IRB, 6%
  • Research Data, 5%
Common clinical project manager skills
  • Manage Cross, 12%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Clinical Research, 8%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Clinical Trials, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%

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