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Contract research scientist vs clinical research associate

The differences between contract research scientists and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a contract research scientist, becoming a clinical research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a contract research scientist has an average salary of $90,721, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a contract research scientist include analytical techniques, R and HPLC. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Contract research scientist vs clinical research associate overview

Contract Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$90,721$62,966
Hourly rate$43.62$30.27
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs93,12494,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4144
Years of experience42

Contract research scientist vs clinical research associate salary

Contract research scientists and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Average salary$90,721$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $132,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between contract research scientist and clinical research associate education

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

Contract Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Contract research scientist vs clinical research associate demographics

Here are the differences between contract research scientists' and clinical research associates' demographics:

Contract Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Average age4144
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between contract research scientist and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Contract research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Test 50 breast expanders and submit results for FDA 5-10k approval.
  • Perform solution and standard prep, Agilent HPLC impurities identification, dissolution assay using VanKel (USP App.
  • Develop, validate and implement robust methods for pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity (ADA) and immunodepletion ELISAs, and cell based-bioassays.
  • Interpret metabolism data and review reports to support strategies forward thinking with a specialization in drug metabolism and metabolic enzymes.

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Show more

Contract research scientist vs clinical research associate skills

Common contract research scientist skills
  • Analytical Techniques, 24%
  • R, 22%
  • HPLC, 15%
  • Analytical Support, 14%
  • Harvest, 13%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%

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