How long does it take to become a clinical research manager?

It takes four to seven years for someone to become a clinical research manager. The specific amount of time depends on both the level of education as well as job experience. A four-year bachelor's degree is a requirement for those working in clinical research. Candidates most often pursue their degrees in biology or the life sciences. Nearly all employers require candidates to have obtained either a Master's degree or Ph.D. to work as a clinical research manager.

How much do clinical study managers make?

Clinical study managers make approximately $92,000 per year. There are several factors that can impact the salary of someone pursuing work in this field. Clinical research managers will typically work in the medical field for a healthcare provider system or a pharmaceutical company. Those candidates working in the pharmaceutical industry will earn an average salary of $87,000, approximately $5,000 below the national average.

What qualifications do you need to work in clinical trials?

The qualifications you need to work in the field of clinical trials involve both education and hands-on experience. There are several degrees and certifications available that will allow candidates to meet these qualifications.

How To Become A Clinical Trial Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a clinical trial manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz Ph.D.

As a human, we suffer from many diseases. To cure these diseases, different pharmacy companies make new medicines that come to the medicine stores so that people can get an advantage from them. But before that, have you ever thought about who clinically tests these medicines to ensure the safety of humans and pass the clinical standards? A clinical trial manager does it.

To become a clinical trial manager, you need to obtain an undergraduate degree in medicine, biology, chemistry, or any related field. Before getting a job, you must go for an internship program to observe the clinical trial process under supervision. You will get an average annual salary of $105,649 per annum that is nearly $50.79 per hour.

As a trial manager, you will get posted in laboratories, clinics, or hospitals. You need to perform clinical operations, trials of medicines, oversee clinical policies, and manage regulatory documents. You will also be responsible for hiring staff, collaborating with other companies to set targets, arranging events, cooperating with scientists, getting necessary legal certifications, and more.

What's a day at work look like for a clinical trial manager?

Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz Ph.D.

Director, Office of Professional Development, University of Minnesota Medical School

As the workforce continues to adapt to restrictions resulting from the pandemic, graduates can expect to find more workplaces discussing hybrid workdays, with a combination of in person and work from home activity. In some sectors, the pandemic has demonstrated that remote work can be a new normal. As graduates work across various sectors and in a variety of types of roles, each person's day will look different. However, flexibility and adaptability will continue to be key skills for success.

ScoreClinical Trial ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.3

Avg. Salary $93,644

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.14%

Black or African American 2.55%

Hispanic or Latino 14.90%

Unknown 7.55%

White 63.35%

Gender

female 70.59%

male 29.41%

Age - 43.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43.5

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a clinical trial manager

Explore clinical trial manager education requirements

Most common clinical trial manager degrees

Bachelor's

60.0 %

Master's

21.8 %

Doctorate

7.3 %

Start to develop specific clinical trial manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	7.63%
Clinical Trial Management	6.83%
Clinical Operations	6.27%
Clinical Research	6.23%
Oversight	5.99%

Complete relevant clinical trial manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical trial managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical trial manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical trial manager resumes.

Gain additional clinical trial manager certifications

Clinical trial manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific clinical trial manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for clinical trial managers include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).

More About Certifications

Research clinical trial manager duties and responsibilities

Manage SAEs and assure they are properly record and report.
Manage CRO vendors and ensure timely execution of study milestones.
Manage assign independent consultants and employee CRAs regarding project-relate issues.
Lead study data management activities for oncology trials in preparation for study close-out.

Prepare your clinical trial manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical trial manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical trial manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical trial manager resume templates

Build a professional clinical trial manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical trial manager resume.