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Clinical trials associate vs clinical project manager

The differences between clinical trials associates and clinical project managers 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 trials associate and a clinical project manager. Additionally, a clinical project manager has an average salary of $100,510, which is higher than the $74,952 average annual salary of a clinical trials associate.

The top three skills for a clinical trials associate include informed consent, patients and clinical operations. The most important skills for a clinical project manager are manage cross, patients, and clinical research.

Clinical trials associate vs clinical project manager overview

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Project Manager
Yearly salary$74,952$100,510
Hourly rate$36.03$48.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,487153,837
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical trials associate do?

A clinical trial associate is in charge of coordinating and executing clinical trial operations, ensuring to meet all goals within budgets and deadlines. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing and processing necessary documentation and certifications, submitting requirements to government agencies, distributing essential materials within the clinical teams, and reviewing study sheets, ensuring every paperwork is complete and accurate. Furthermore, as a clinical trial associate, it is vital to lead while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

What does a clinical project manager do?

A clinical project manager specializes in developing and organizing clinical trials. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and coordinating with all necessary personnel and experts, scheduling meetings, and preparing necessary documentation, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. Moreover, a clinical project manager must devise strategies and train all staff, develop protocols and guidelines, coordinate with vendors and suppliers, evaluate staff and verify documentation, and assist in all activities to ensure that every process aligns with the project's agenda. Should there be any issues or concerns, a clinical project manager must conduct corrective measures right away.

Clinical trials associate vs clinical project manager salary

Clinical trials associates and clinical project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Project Manager
Average salary$74,952$100,510
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $121,000Between $74,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyDorsey & WhitneyIntuitive Surgical
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between clinical trials associate and clinical project manager education

There are a few differences between a clinical trials associate and a clinical project manager in terms of educational background:

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical trials associate vs clinical project manager demographics

Here are the differences between clinical trials associates' and clinical project managers' demographics:

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Project Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.3% Female, 74.7%Male, 32.5% Female, 67.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials associate and clinical project manager duties and responsibilities

Clinical trials associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage trial master files and study document to meet GCP/ICH and internal guidelines for records retention.
  • Audit TMF to ensure all require regulatory documentation are collected and lead.
  • Work closely with investigators to recruit eligible patients to clinical protocols, manage data collection and preparation.
  • Preform ICF customization in accordance with ICH guidelines, GCP s and local regulatory requirements.
  • Support the setup, data entry and QC of the system to ensure accuracy and quality of data.
  • Monitor clinical data and resolve inconsistencies according to FDA regulations and ICF guidelines.
  • Show more

Clinical project manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop, manage, motivate and ensure professional development of project staff (13 CRAs).
  • Manage domestic and international oncology clinical study sites.
  • Manage multiple pharmaceutical studies ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines.
  • Manage the operational aspects and execution of clinical studies focusing on oncology.
  • Supervise rotating team of CRA's contract with the CRO, educating on therapeutic area, and ensuring ICH GCP compliance.
  • Ensure GCP / ICH regulatory compliance on studies, preventing study deviations and provide swift resolutions to possible violations.
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Clinical trials associate vs clinical project manager skills

Common clinical trials associate skills
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Clinical Operations, 6%
  • FDA, 6%
  • Consent Forms, 5%
  • TMF, 5%
Common clinical project manager skills
  • Manage Cross, 12%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Clinical Research, 8%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Clinical Trials, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%

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