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Study coordinator vs principal investigator

The differences between study coordinators and principal investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a study coordinator, becoming a principal investigator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a principal investigator has an average salary of $84,635, which is higher than the $47,435 average annual salary of a study coordinator.

The top three skills for a study coordinator include patients, informed consent and IRB. The most important skills for a principal investigator are patients, data collection, and project management.

Study coordinator vs principal investigator overview

Study CoordinatorPrincipal Investigator
Yearly salary$47,435$84,635
Hourly rate$22.81$40.69
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs14,92944,475
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4447
Years of experience24

What does a study coordinator do?

Study coordinators oversee the entire process of clinical research from its inception to its completion. The coordinators make certain that human subjects are safe and well-protected. They identify the eligibility of the subject through clinical record screening and medical information extracting. It is their responsibility to maintain the regulatory documents based on the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They should develop skills and knowledge in clinical trials, study protocol, and patient care.

What does a principal investigator do?

A Principal Investigator is the primary person who is responsible for designing, conducting, and reporting a research project. They report to a designated official such as the department head or division chief.

Study coordinator vs principal investigator salary

Study coordinators and principal investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Study CoordinatorPrincipal Investigator
Average salary$47,435$84,635
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $65,000Between $59,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyBloodworks NorthwestIncyte
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between study coordinator and principal investigator education

There are a few differences between a study coordinator and a principal investigator in terms of educational background:

Study CoordinatorPrincipal Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorNursingPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Study coordinator vs principal investigator demographics

Here are the differences between study coordinators' and principal investigators' demographics:

Study CoordinatorPrincipal Investigator
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 23.7% Female, 76.3%Male, 52.2% Female, 47.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%16%

Differences between study coordinator and principal investigator duties and responsibilities

Study coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and analyze EKG and sleep data collect from subjects in confidential database.
  • Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
  • Conduct consent discussions and other study procedures per protocol and CFR and GCP guidelines.
  • Maintain strict patient confidentiality according to HIPPA regulations, GCP and ICH , 21 CFR and other regulatory documentation.
  • Maintain accurate IRB, regulatory and study documentation to insure compliance with protocol and good clinical practice guidelines.
  • Coordinate day-to-day study activities including data collection and statistical analysis, protocol development/implementation, IRB relations, and staff development.
    • Show more

Principal investigator example responsibilities.

  • Serve chemistry project leads for two early-stage drug discovery projects.
  • Design, build and manage CADD, NMR and MRI facilities.
  • Attain IRB approval, recruit participants, analyze the data and present results
  • Manage outsource projects, and interact with vendors for API sourcing, and device components base on project needs.
  • Conduct research using industry standards: GCP, GLP, SORP and compliance with IRB.
  • Receive IRB approval and clearance for research
    • Show more

Study coordinator vs principal investigator skills

Common study coordinator skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Clinical Trials, 4%
Common principal investigator skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Technical Reports, 6%
  • FDA, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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