Senior clinical research associate vs clinical trial manager

The differences between senior clinical research associates and clinical trial managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior clinical research associate and a clinical trial manager. Additionally, a senior clinical research associate has an average salary of $95,878, which is higher than the $93,644 average annual salary of a clinical trial manager.

The top three skills for a senior clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and oncology. The most important skills for a clinical trial manager are patients, clinical trial management, and clinical operations.

Senior clinical research associate vs clinical trial manager overview

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Clinical Trial Manager
Yearly salary	$95,878	$93,644
Hourly rate	$46.10	$45.02
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	94,045	60,284
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a senior clinical research associate do?

A Senior Clinical Research Associate performs and coordinates all aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process. They design, implement, and monitor clinical trials.

What does a clinical trial manager do?

A clinical trial manager is primarily responsible for organizing and supervising clinical trials, ensuring to meet all goals while maintaining smooth operations. They are also responsible for collaborating with managers to set targets, hiring staff and participants for studies, and arranging the event. This planning includes its location and schedule. A clinical trial manager must also maintain documentation of all processes, liaise with scientists and key personnel, acquire necessary legal paperwork and certifications, and gather data accurately. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations at all times.

Senior clinical research associate vs clinical trial manager salary

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

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Clinical Trial Manager
Average salary	$95,878	$93,644
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $142,000	Between $61,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Rafael, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Acorda Therapeutics	Editas Medicine
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between senior clinical research associate and clinical trial manager education

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

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Clinical Trial Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Duke University	University of Pennsylvania

Senior clinical research associate vs clinical trial manager demographics

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

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Clinical Trial Manager
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%	Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 11.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between senior clinical research associate and clinical trial manager duties and responsibilities

Senior clinical research associate example responsibilities.

Manage a consultant to review scientific support and create dossiers on each product that make health claims in the EU.
Interact with FDA and other regulatory authorities to manage and facilitate approval of regulatory submissions.
Monitor U.S. sites in accordance with ICH and GCP guidelines.
Maintain investigators and subjects files, review investigators files for compliance with GCP and FDA regulations, review drug utilization records.
Verify informed consent procedures and protocol requirements base on applicable regulatory requirements to ensure protection of study patients.
Provide site management for both therapeutic and supportive care oncology protocols that are complex and require knowledge in advance therapeutic areas.

Clinical trial manager example responsibilities.

Manage SAEs and assure they are properly record and report.
Manage CRO vendors and ensure timely execution of study milestones.
Manage assign independent consultants and employee CRAs regarding project-relate issues.
Lead study data management activities for oncology trials in preparation for study close-out.
Ensure study adherence to all regulatory matters and sponsor requirements according to FDA regulations, GCP and ICH guidelines.
Create document templates require by FDA and ICH regulations for site distribution.

Senior clinical research associate vs clinical trial manager skills

Common senior clinical research associate skills

Patients, 11%
Informed Consent, 6%
Oncology, 5%
CRA, 5%
Site Management, 5%
Field Training, 4%

Common clinical trial manager skills

Patients, 8%
Clinical Trial Management, 7%
Clinical Operations, 6%
Clinical Research, 6%
Oversight, 6%
Project Management, 5%

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Senior Clinical Research Associate
Senior Clinical Research Associate vs Clinical Trial Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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