Senior clinical research associate vs research administrator

The differences between senior clinical research associates and research administrators 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 research administrator. Additionally, a senior clinical research associate has an average salary of $95,878, which is higher than the $52,667 average annual salary of a research administrator.

The top three skills for a senior clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and oncology. The most important skills for a research administrator are research administration, customer service, and principal investigators.

Senior clinical research associate vs research administrator overview

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Yearly salary	$95,878	$52,667
Hourly rate	$46.10	$25.32
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	94,045	99,798
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 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.

Senior clinical research associate vs research administrator salary

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

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Average salary	$95,878	$52,667
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $142,000	Between $41,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Washington	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Acorda Therapeutics	Kronos Incorporated
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between senior clinical research associate and research administrator education

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

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	Duke University	Stanford University

Senior clinical research associate vs research administrator demographics

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

	Senior Clinical Research Associate	Research Administrator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%
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, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between senior clinical research associate and research administrator 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.

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.

Senior clinical research associate vs research administrator skills

Common senior clinical research associate skills

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

Common research administrator skills

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

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Senior Clinical Research Associate
Senior Clinical Research Associate vs Research Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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