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The differences between clinical research specialists and research coordinators 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 research coordinator. Additionally, a clinical research specialist has an average salary of $60,945, which is higher than the $48,974 average annual salary of a research coordinator.
The top three skills for a clinical research specialist include patients, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a research coordinator are patients, informed consent, and data collection.
| Clinical Research Specialist | Research Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $60,945 | $48,974 |
| Hourly rate | $29.30 | $23.55 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 96,707 | 65,406 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A research coordinator is responsible for assisting the development of research data from clinical trials and laboratory investigations under the supervision of a lead researcher or a research supervisor. In some cases, research coordinators conduct field investigations and analyze existing research materials upon understanding the scope and limitations of the study. They enter their findings and useful resources on the research database for reference to the research team. A research coordinator must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, especially on gathering data and coordinating with other researchers for the progress and updates of the study.
Clinical research specialists and research coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Specialist | Research Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $60,945 | $48,974 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $87,000 | Between $35,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Edwards Lifesciences | BNP Paribas |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a clinical research specialist and a research coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Specialist | Research Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Biology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between clinical research specialists' and research coordinators' demographics:
| Clinical Research Specialist | Research Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% | Male, 29.1% Female, 70.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 15.1% Asian, 10.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |