Clinical research specialist vs senior clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research specialists 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 specialist and a senior clinical research associate. Additionally, a senior clinical research associate has an average salary of $95,878, 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 senior clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and oncology.

Clinical research specialist vs senior clinical research associate overview

	Clinical Research Specialist	Senior Clinical Research Associate
Yearly salary	$60,945	$95,878
Hourly rate	$29.30	$46.10
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	96,707	94,045
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

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 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 specialist vs senior clinical research associate salary

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

	Clinical Research Specialist	Senior Clinical Research Associate
Average salary	$60,945	$95,878
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $87,000	Between $64,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Edwards Lifesciences	Acorda Therapeutics
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research specialist and senior clinical research associate education

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

	Clinical Research Specialist	Senior Clinical Research Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Duke University

Clinical research specialist vs senior clinical research associate demographics

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

	Clinical Research Specialist	Senior Clinical Research Associate
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%	Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%
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, 15.0% Asian, 11.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between clinical research specialist and senior clinical research associate 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.

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.

Clinical research specialist vs senior clinical research associate skills

Common clinical research specialist skills

Patients, 12%
Clinical Trials, 8%
Informed Consent, 8%
Data Collection, 7%
IRB, 6%
Research Data, 5%

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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Clinical Research Specialist
Clinical Research Specialist vs Senior Clinical Research Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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