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Clinical trials associate vs clinical research coordinator

The differences between clinical trials associates and clinical research coordinators 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 research coordinator. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, which is higher than the $52,459 average annual salary of a clinical research coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical trials associate include informed consent, patients and clinical operations. The most important skills for a clinical research coordinator are patients, informed consent, and IRB.

Clinical trials associate vs clinical research coordinator overview

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
Yearly salary$74,952$52,459
Hourly rate$36.03$25.22
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,487102,960
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 research coordinator do?

A clinical research coordinator is a healthcare professional responsible for administering clinical trials of drugs or medications. Clinical research coordinators work under the supervision of clinical research managers to collect data and help inform trial participants about the study's objectives. They must ensure that these trials have met all regulations, including drug safety, government regulations, and the organization's code of ethics. Clinical research coordinators must obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing and have at least two years of healthcare experience.

Clinical trials associate vs clinical research coordinator salary

Clinical trials associates and clinical research coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
Average salary$74,952$52,459
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $121,000Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyDorsey & WhitneyGenentech
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical trials associate and clinical research coordinator education

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

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Clinical trials associate vs clinical research coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical trials associates' and clinical research coordinators' demographics:

Clinical Trials AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.3% Female, 74.7%Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0%
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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 10.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials associate and clinical research coordinator 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.
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Clinical research coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Assess study participants for adverse reactions or complications and manage side effects of chemotherapy and other study relate drugs.
  • Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
  • Direct acquisition and analysis of functional MRI research data following GCP and FDA regulations
  • Prepare and maintain IRB and regulatory documentation for various research projects and consent patients for clinical research.
  • Facilitate constant communication between principal investigators, oncology nurses, and patients to address concerns and maximize eligibility and enrollment.
  • Schedule patient for study procedures; initiate/coordinate drug orders, laboratory procedures and treatments for patients base on standing protocol orders.
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Clinical trials associate vs clinical research coordinator skills

Common clinical trials associate skills
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Clinical Operations, 6%
  • FDA, 6%
  • Consent Forms, 5%
  • TMF, 5%
Common clinical research coordinator skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 10%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Research Projects, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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