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The differences between clinical researchers and senior program coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clinical researcher, becoming a senior program coordinator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior program coordinator has an average salary of $74,468, which is higher than the $55,453 average annual salary of a clinical researcher.
The top three skills for a clinical researcher include patients, informed consent and IRB. The most important skills for a senior program coordinator are alumni, excellent organizational, and powerpoint.
| Clinical Researcher | Senior Program Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $55,453 | $74,468 |
| Hourly rate | $26.66 | $35.80 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 60,864 | 80,629 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A clinical researcher is primarily in charge of conducting research trials for medicine and health care development. Their responsibilities mainly revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis by gathering samples, performing experiments, working with research participants, and collaborating with other researchers and scientists. Moreover, as a clinical researcher, it is essential to maintain records of all experiments, summarize findings into reports and presentations, and monitor every progress, all while adhering to the research's deadlines, budgets, goals, and policies.
A senior program coordinator is primarily in charge of spearheading and managing programs, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities revolve around participating in setting goals and objectives, securing funding and sponsors, overseeing the workforce, and even establishing guidelines. They may also facilitate communication within the company and liaise with external parties. Furthermore, as a senior program coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage the teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Clinical researchers and senior program coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Researcher | Senior Program Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $55,453 | $74,468 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $79,000 | Between $46,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Edwards Lifesciences | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a clinical researcher and a senior program coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Researcher | Senior Program Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between clinical researchers' and senior program coordinators' demographics:
| Clinical Researcher | Senior Program Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 13.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 16% |