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The differences between senior clinical research coordinators and clinical research associates 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 coordinator and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, which is higher than the $60,458 average annual salary of a senior clinical research coordinator.
The top three skills for a senior clinical research coordinator include patients, IRB and informed consent. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.
| Senior Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $60,458 | $62,966 |
| Hourly rate | $29.07 | $30.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 103,077 | 94,336 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A senior clinical research coordinator's main job is to conduct and administer clinical trials. From these clinical trials, they collect important data. They need to possess great verbal and written communication skills. They should be able to explain complex clinical research to almost any audience. They oversee the smooth functioning of the clinical trials and manage research budgets.
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.
Senior clinical research coordinators and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $60,458 | $62,966 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $87,000 | Between $43,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Artemis Health | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a senior clinical research coordinator and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:
| Senior Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior clinical research coordinators' and clinical research associates' demographics:
| Senior Clinical Research Coordinator | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 18.2% Female, 81.8% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 9.5% White, 64.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 9% | 9% |