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The differences between medical research assistants and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical research assistant, becoming a clinical research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, which is higher than the $40,303 average annual salary of a medical research assistant.
The top three skills for a medical research assistant include patients, patient care and DR. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.
| Medical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $40,303 | $62,966 |
| Hourly rate | $19.38 | $30.27 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 125,533 | 94,336 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A medical research assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar environment. Their responsibilities include gathering and organizing samples, preparing the laboratories and other facilities, compiling and managing data, updating databases, and conducting examinations and analysis, all while adhering to the laboratory's policies and regulations. They may also liaise with clients, answering inquiries as necessary. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an active line with researchers, coordinating with them every step of the way to ensure an efficient workflow.
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.
Medical research assistants and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $40,303 | $62,966 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $64,000 | Between $43,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Worcester, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Norton Rose Fulbright | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Education | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a medical research assistant and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:
| Medical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | - | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between medical research assistants' and clinical research associates' demographics:
| Medical Research Assistant | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 6% | 9% |