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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 | Research Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $74,952 | $48,974 |
| Hourly rate | $36.03 | $23.55 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 55,487 | 65,406 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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 associates and research coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $74,952 | $48,974 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $121,000 | Between $35,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Dorsey & Whitney | BNP Paribas |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a clinical trials associate and a research coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Biology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between clinical trials associates' and research coordinators' demographics:
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7% | Male, 29.1% Female, 70.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |