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The differences between clinical study managers and practice managers 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 study manager, becoming a practice manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a practice manager has an average salary of $107,374, which is higher than the $78,195 average annual salary of a clinical study manager.
The top three skills for a clinical study manager include GCP, informed consent and oversight. The most important skills for a practice manager are patients, patient care, and customer service.
| Clinical Study Manager | Practice Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $78,195 | $107,374 |
| Hourly rate | $37.59 | $51.62 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 61,352 | 38,196 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A clinical study manager is primarily in charge of overseeing the efforts in conducting clinical studies, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include setting objectives, organizing budgets and schedules, establishing guidelines, delegating tasks, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They must also monitor the progress of the studies, conducting corrective measures when needed. Furthermore, as a clinical study manager, it is essential to lead and coordinate the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including the study's vision and mission.
A practice manager is responsible for supervising daily operations, especially on the side of the medical industry. Practice managers monitor staffing needs, train new employees, and evaluate the employees' productivity and performance. They also enforce strict guidelines and procedures, ensuring that the processes adhere to the legal standards and regulatory requirements. Practice managers also maintain budget goals, creating cost estimates and expense reports. A practice manager must have strong communication, analytical, and critical-thinking skills, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the medical industry practices.
Clinical study managers and practice managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Study Manager | Practice Manager | |
| Average salary | $78,195 | $107,374 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $122,000 | Between $65,000 And $175,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Providence, RI |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Neuralink IT Solutions | Davis Wright Tremaine |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a clinical study manager and a practice manager in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Study Manager | Practice Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between clinical study managers' and practice managers' demographics:
| Clinical Study Manager | Practice Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0% | Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 10.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 12% |