Post job

Clinical research specialist vs research project coordinator

The differences between clinical research specialists and research project 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 project coordinator. Additionally, a clinical research specialist has an average salary of $60,945, which is higher than the $48,683 average annual salary of a research project coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical research specialist include patients, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a research project coordinator are data collection, patients, and project management.

Clinical research specialist vs research project coordinator overview

Clinical Research SpecialistResearch Project Coordinator
Yearly salary$60,945$48,683
Hourly rate$29.30$23.41
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs96,70767,800
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
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 research project coordinator do?

Research Project Coordinators take on a lead role in maintaining and creating processes that support the execution of a research project. Their duties include researching governance requirements, preparing for contract bidding, manage budgeting of a project to meet a specified timeline, and present findings of a project to all stakeholders involved. The Research Project Coordinator will also support administrative tasks, including producing corporate reports, organizing committee meetings, and developing a research database to track active milestones achieved.

Clinical research specialist vs research project coordinator salary

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

Clinical Research SpecialistResearch Project Coordinator
Average salary$60,945$48,683
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $87,000Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CAMiddletown, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyEdwards LifesciencesDignity Health
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalProfessional

Differences between clinical research specialist and research project coordinator education

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

Clinical Research SpecialistResearch Project Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBiologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Clinical research specialist vs research project coordinator demographics

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

Clinical Research SpecialistResearch Project Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.5% Female, 70.5%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research specialist and research project coordinator 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

Research project coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage study documentation throughout study life cycle including IRB annual renewals, modifications, patient study charts and regulatory binder.
  • Recommend administrative revisions to IRB submit studies including inform consent documents.
  • Demonstrate small molecule are protective against DNA damage in mouse model of melanoma.
  • Conduct analysis using SPSS which result in developing a new software for students to selecting college.
  • Conduct primary research through interviews with Boston area travelers and analyze raw data into reports via SPSS.
  • Maintain FDA correspondence and government documentation.
  • Show more

Clinical research specialist vs research project coordinator skills

Common clinical research specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Clinical Trials, 8%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • IRB, 6%
  • Research Data, 5%
Common research project coordinator skills
  • Data Collection, 12%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Public Health, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%

Browse executive management jobs