Data management specialist vs clinical data manager

The differences between data management specialists and clinical data managers 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 manager. Additionally, a clinical data manager has an average salary of $98,148, 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 manager are patients, data collection, and data management.

Data management specialist vs clinical data manager overview

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Manager
Yearly salary	$78,699	$98,148
Hourly rate	$37.84	$47.19
Growth rate	31%	31%
Number of jobs	164,343	135,813
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
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functions related to data processing operations, such as updating the information in the database, proper disposal of outdated documents, and ensuring the security of confidential information in the system.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 manager do?

A clinical data manager is primarily responsible for recording and managing the data and results from various clinical trials and projects. Their duties revolve around establishing and maintaining a database, coordinating with team members and other departments to gather relevant information, developing different strategies for data management, mentoring less experienced colleagues, and monitoring the workforce's progress to ensure the accuracy of every data. Furthermore, as a manager, it is crucial to ensure that all processes comply with the state's laws and regulations and the company's policies.

Data management specialist vs clinical data manager salary

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

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Manager
Average salary	$78,699	$98,148
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $124,000	Between $68,000 And $139,000
Highest paying City	Rockville, MD	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	California
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	ZS
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between data management specialist and clinical data manager education

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

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Duke University

Data management specialist vs clinical data manager demographics

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

	Data Management Specialist	Clinical Data Manager
Average age	37	37
Gender ratio	Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5%	Male, 29.9% Female, 70.1%
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 manager 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 manager example responsibilities.

Manage online survey execution and SPSS database for child substance abuse prevention program.
Manage all of the operational aspect of clinical trials in compliance with GCP regulations and Merck policy.
Lead training for new hire nurses and physicians in EMR system: develop training handouts and learning objectives
Manage CRO data management activities for the oncology clinical study.
Manage the biannual MedDRA upgrade implementation and the auto encoding optimization project
Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.

Data management specialist vs clinical data manager 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 manager skills

Patients, 13%
Data Collection, 7%
Data Management, 5%
CRF, 4%
QC, 4%
Database Development, 4%

Data Management Specialist vs. similar jobs

Data Management Specialist related careers

Data Management Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Computer and Mathematical Industry
Data Management Specialist
Data Management Specialist vs Clinical Data Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs