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Clinical trials specialist vs clinical trial manager

The differences between clinical trials specialists and clinical trial 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 specialist and a clinical trial manager. Additionally, a clinical trial manager has an average salary of $93,644, which is higher than the $74,910 average annual salary of a clinical trials specialist.

The top three skills for a clinical trials specialist include patients, clinical research and clinical trials. The most important skills for a clinical trial manager are patients, clinical trial management, and clinical operations.

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical trial manager overview

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Trial Manager
Yearly salary$74,910$93,644
Hourly rate$36.01$45.02
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs57,45860,284
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical trials specialist do?

A Clinical Trials specialist assist in the daily activities involved in clinical trials. This includes gathering facts, information, and observed data and helps analyze and interpret results. Clinic trials are essential in developing new medicines and vaccines needed for the safeguard of human health. Alongside this primary responsibility, it is also the clinical trial specialist's task to organize data, monitor laboratory equipment, and ensure all specimens needed for the trials are according to instructions.

What does a clinical trial manager do?

A clinical trial manager is primarily responsible for organizing and supervising clinical trials, ensuring to meet all goals while maintaining smooth operations. They are also responsible for collaborating with managers to set targets, hiring staff and participants for studies, and arranging the event. This planning includes its location and schedule. A clinical trial manager must also maintain documentation of all processes, liaise with scientists and key personnel, acquire necessary legal paperwork and certifications, and gather data accurately. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations at all times.

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical trial manager salary

Clinical trials specialists and clinical trial managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Trial Manager
Average salary$74,910$93,644
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $120,000Between $61,000 And $142,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Rafael, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyExelixisEditas Medicine
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between clinical trials specialist and clinical trial manager education

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Trial Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical trial manager demographics

Here are the differences between clinical trials specialists' and clinical trial managers' demographics:

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Trial Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 27.0% Female, 73.0%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 11.2% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials specialist and clinical trial manager duties and responsibilities

Clinical trials specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all clinical data and subject source documentation through the EDC system to verify compliance and subject eligibility.
  • Lead study data management activities for oncology trials in preparation for study close-out.
  • Review clinical study documents for completeness and compliance with protocol, FDA regulations, ICH and GCP guidelines.
  • Perform routine quality control (QC) of TMF and submit documents to ensure overall quality.
  • Review ICF and study reports and find discrepancies that are missed by CRO management.
  • Collect, review, approve and track in CTMS regulatory essential start-up and amendment documents.
  • Show more

Clinical trial manager example 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.
  • Ensure study adherence to all regulatory matters and sponsor requirements according to FDA regulations, GCP and ICH guidelines.
  • Create document templates require by FDA and ICH regulations for site distribution.
  • Show more

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical trial manager skills

Common clinical trials specialist skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Clinical Research, 10%
  • Clinical Trials, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Consent Forms, 4%
Common clinical trial manager skills
  • Patients, 8%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 7%
  • Clinical Operations, 6%
  • Clinical Research, 6%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%

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