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Clinical trials associate vs research coordinator

The differences between clinical trials associates and 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 research coordinator. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, which is higher than the $48,974 average annual salary of a research coordinator.

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

Clinical trials associate vs research coordinator overview

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Coordinator
Yearly salary$74,952$48,974
Hourly rate$36.03$23.55
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,48765,406
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 research coordinator do?

A research coordinator is responsible for assisting the development of research data from clinical trials and laboratory investigations under the supervision of a lead researcher or a research supervisor. In some cases, research coordinators conduct field investigations and analyze existing research materials upon understanding the scope and limitations of the study. They enter their findings and useful resources on the research database for reference to the research team. A research coordinator must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, especially on gathering data and coordinating with other researchers for the progress and updates of the study.

Clinical trials associate vs research coordinator salary

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Coordinator
Average salary$74,952$48,974
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $121,000Between $35,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABothell, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyDorsey & WhitneyBNP Paribas
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical trials associate and research coordinator education

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Clinical trials associate vs research coordinator demographics

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.3% Female, 74.7%Male, 29.1% Female, 70.9%
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, 15.1% Asian, 10.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials associate and 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.
  • Show more

Research coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage participant's records ensuring confidentiality as well as NIH specifications.
  • Manage all IRB submissions, sponsor communications, participate in monitoring visits, drug reconciliation and dispensing.
  • Recruit, screen, conduct psychometric examinations and collect data for pharmaceutical clinical trials in patients diagnose with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Maintain confidential information and appropriate ethical professionalism with highly sensitive personal health information; take part in IRB human subjects training.
  • Assist in preparation of grants, NIH progress reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
  • Ensure and maintain confidentiality, privacy and compliance of patient rights in accordance with HIPAA regulations and NVCI policies.
  • Show more

Clinical trials associate vs research coordinator skills

Common clinical trials associate skills
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Clinical Operations, 6%
  • FDA, 6%
  • Consent Forms, 5%
  • TMF, 5%
Common research coordinator skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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