Laboratory manager vs clinical research associate

The differences between laboratory managers and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a laboratory manager, becoming a clinical research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory manager has an average salary of $74,314, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a laboratory manager include lab equipment, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Laboratory manager vs clinical research associate overview

	Laboratory Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Yearly salary	$74,314	$62,966
Hourly rate	$35.73	$30.27
Growth rate	3%	6%
Number of jobs	43,321	94,336
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	48	44
Years of experience	6	2

What does a laboratory manager do?

Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Laboratory manager vs clinical research associate salary

Laboratory managers and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Average salary	$74,314	$62,966
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $111,000	Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	California
Best paying company	Meta	Meta
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between laboratory manager and clinical research associate education

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

	Laboratory Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Laboratory manager vs clinical research associate demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory managers' and clinical research associates' demographics:

	Laboratory Manager	Clinical Research Associate
Average age	48	44
Gender ratio	Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%	Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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 Percentage	8%	9%

Differences between laboratory manager and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Laboratory manager example responsibilities.

Lead laboratory investigations, OOS, deviations, change controls and CAPA.
Manage daily personnel challenges, assist with marketing and maintain appropriate standards and regulations per JCAHO, DNV.
Manage staff and oversee FDA guidelines and regulations for pharmaceutical research
Initiate and manage successful in-house design and implementation of network base LIMS database.
Manage curriculum development, authore and publish lab manuals in physiology and ecology.
Manage daily laboratory operations including personnel, client consulting, analyses and adherence to GLP protocols.

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.

Laboratory manager vs clinical research associate skills

Common laboratory manager skills

Lab Equipment, 12%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
Chemistry, 6%
Clinical Laboratory, 5%
Lab Safety, 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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Laboratory Manager vs Clinical Research Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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