Research administrator vs study director

The differences between research administrators and study directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a research administrator and a study director. Additionally, a study director has an average salary of $82,066, which is higher than the $52,667 average annual salary of a research administrator.

The top three skills for a research administrator include research administration, customer service and principal investigators. The most important skills for a study director are toxicology, data collection, and study design.

Research administrator vs study director overview

	Research Administrator	Study Director
Yearly salary	$52,667	$82,066
Hourly rate	$25.32	$39.45
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	99,798	6,789
Job satisfaction	2	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a research administrator do?

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a study director do?

Technically, a study director carries out scientific responsibilities for protocol design or study plan and approval. Study directors supervise the gathering, analysis, interpretation, documentation, and reporting of data results. They handle the matriculation of students with regard to data management system development. Working with the computer systems team is part of their duties so they will be able to establish a data management system in tracking the study participants. They also support the toxicology team or group on different project teams.

Research administrator vs study director salary

Research administrators and study directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Administrator	Study Director
Average salary	$52,667	$82,066
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $67,000	Between $56,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	California
Best paying company	Kronos Incorporated	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between research administrator and study director education

There are a few differences between a research administrator and a study director in terms of educational background:

	Research Administrator	Study Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Research administrator vs study director demographics

Here are the differences between research administrators' and study directors' demographics:

	Research Administrator	Study Director
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%	Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 12.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between research administrator and study director duties and responsibilities

Research administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.

Study director example responsibilities.

Design, conducts and manages studies for EPA and oce compliance, such as water solubility and partition coefficient studies.
Manage all outsource toxicology studies at contract research laboratories.
Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
Evaluate study design and toxicology data as needed.
Consult drug development scientists on data interpretation and study conclusions for FDA submission.
Participate on the ISO certification team.

Research administrator vs study director skills

Common research administrator skills

Research Administration, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Principal Investigators, 7%
PIS, 6%
Pre-award, 6%
Payroll, 5%

Common study director skills

Toxicology, 10%
Data Collection, 7%
Study Design, 7%
Project Management, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
FDA, 6%

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Research Administrator
Research Administrator vs Study Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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