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What is a program and research coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Michael Brown

Program and research coordinators usually assist researchers in the planning, monitoring, and collection of reliable data from clinical studies. Pharmaceutical corporations, hospitals, private physician practices, and colleges hire research coordinators the most, and the majority of them work full-time.

The position is ideal for someone with a nursing or science background who enjoys collaborating with others. Also, many research coordinators work under the supervision of a department head or a lead researcher, keeping track and controlling costs within budgeted limits.

Each firm and organization will have its own set of qualifications for becoming a research coordinator, but there are several skills that you need to be able to work in this field. They include data entry, attention to detail, and clinical skills. You will also need to hold a bachelor's degree for this role. A research coordinator's average yearly salary is $57,596. Approximately 10% of research coordinators earn more than $98,000 per year.

What's a day at work look like for a program and research coordinator?

Michael BrownMichael Brown LinkedIn profile

Morris L. Clothier Professor of Physics, Swarthmore College

Hard to say. I predict that there will be more remote work than we've had in the past. Our physics graduates engaged in experimental or hands-on research will need to be in a physical laboratory. Our graduates are learning how to do computer modelling in the cloud from home.
ScoreProgram And Research CoordinatorUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,368

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 10.35%

Black or African American 2.56%

Hispanic or Latino 15.07%

Unknown 7.57%

White 63.93%

Gender

female 71.58%

male 28.42%

Age - 43.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43.5
Stress level
5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Program and research coordinator career paths

Key steps to become a program and research coordinator

  1. Explore program and research coordinator education requirements

    Most common program and research coordinator degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.3 %

    Master's

    24.3 %

    Doctorate

    3.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific program and research coordinator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients15.54%
    Research Program8.68%
    IRB6.70%
    Informed Consent4.99%
    Clinical Research4.94%
  3. Complete relevant program and research coordinator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program and research coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a program and research coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program and research coordinator resumes.
  4. Research program and research coordinator duties and responsibilities

    • Assess study participants for adverse reactions or complications and manage side effects of chemotherapy and other study relate drugs.
    • Clarify and communicate IRB guidelines to research team and provide quality assurance oversight.
    • Assist in evaluation and implementation of IRB tracking software/database and subsequent maintenance of records via database or software.
    • Conduct interviews with patients on their understanding of trials and designing modifications to trial literature in order to enhance understanding.
  5. Prepare your program and research coordinator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program and research coordinator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a program and research coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable program and research coordinator resume templates

    Build a professional program and research coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your program and research coordinator resume.
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
    Program And Research Coordinator Resume
  6. Apply for program and research coordinator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a program and research coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first program and research coordinator job

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Average program and research coordinator salary

The average program and research coordinator salary in the United States is $51,368 per year or $25 per hour. Program and research coordinator salaries range between $36,000 and $72,000 per year.

Average program and research coordinator salary
$51,368 Yearly
$24.70 hourly

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Program and research coordinator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Cons

high stress job, no people interaction


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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