Data management specialist vs clinical data associate

The differences between data management specialists and clinical data associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a data management specialist and a clinical data associate. Additionally, a clinical data associate has an average salary of $101,829, which is higher than the $78,699 average annual salary of a data management specialist.

The top three skills for a data management specialist include data entry, data quality and data collection. The most important skills for a clinical data associate are data review, data management, and FDA.

Data management specialist vs clinical data associate overview

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Associate
Yearly salary	$78,699	$101,829
Hourly rate	$37.84	$48.96
Growth rate	31%	31%
Number of jobs	164,343	119,026
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	37	37
Years of experience	4	4

What does a data management specialist do?

A data management specialist is responsible for performing administrative functions related to data processing operations, such as updating the information in the database, proper disposal of outdated documents, and ensuring the security of confidential information in the system. Data management specialists collect data and manage data flow and disseminate information across the organization. They also sort files according to business requirements and send information to the senior management and other departments for business operations as required.

What does a clinical data associate do?

A clinical data associate is responsible for documenting and recording data from clinical research programs for various purposes, such as validation and future studies. Their responsibilities revolve around understanding the needs of every program, coordinating with different teams to gather accurate data, utilizing special tools and software, and preparing and processing data according to protocols and standards. Moreover, a clinical data associate typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Data management specialist vs clinical data associate salary

Data management specialists and clinical data associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Associate
Average salary	$78,699	$101,829
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $124,000	Between $68,000 And $150,000
Highest paying City	Rockville, MD	South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Maryland
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Santander Private Banking International
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between data management specialist and clinical data associate education

There are a few differences between a data management specialist and a clinical data associate in terms of educational background:

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Data management specialist vs clinical data associate demographics

Here are the differences between data management specialists' and clinical data associates' demographics:

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Associate
Average age	37	37
Gender ratio	Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5%	Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 22.7% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 22.7% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between data management specialist and clinical data associate duties and responsibilities

Data management specialist example responsibilities.

Lead key marketing partner events from PMI and MPA.
Ensure that the CRF's are transmit to data entry staff and manage timely data entry.
Manage and communicate proper usage of data to a wide variety of QA testers which result in improve data request submissions.
Manage the collection, double entry, comparison edit, and locking of clinical trial database in accordance with FDA guidelines.
Identify and recommend ERP system base solutions to automate current processes to improve efficiency, accuracy and standardization.
Manage clinical trials by gathering data, monitoring adverse events, screening patients for eligibility and scheduling patients per protocol.

Clinical data associate example responsibilities.

Administer the execution of QC evaluation for data enter into the CTMS that lead to senior management exceeding client deliverable expectations.
Perform database audits as required to ensure FDA compliance.
Review SAS edits and data listings to produce data queries for clinical sites.
Ensure rapid identification of database errors by writing SAS code to validate clinical data.
Work with the internal study team and/or CRO on assign studies to identify data issues and proactively address data issues.
Monitor and troubleshoot system performance.

Data management specialist vs clinical data associate skills

Common data management specialist skills

Data Entry, 7%
Data Quality, 6%
Data Collection, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
Database Systems, 4%
Data Management, 4%

Common clinical data associate skills

Data Review, 8%
Data Management, 7%
FDA, 7%
SAS, 6%
Clinical Trial Data, 6%
Data Quality, 5%

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Data Management Specialist vs Clinical Data Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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