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The differences between clinical research associates and senior 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 clinical research associate and a senior clinical research associate. Additionally, a senior clinical research associate has an average salary of $95,878, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.
The top three skills for a clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and CRA. The most important skills for a senior clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and oncology.
Clinical Research Associate | Senior Clinical Research Associate | |
Yearly Salary | $62,966 | $95,878 |
Hourly rate | $30.27 | $46.10 |
Growth Rate | 6% | 6% |
Number Of Jobs | 94,336 | 94,045 |
Job Satisfaction | - | - |
Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
Average Age | 44 | 44 |
Years Of Experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Clinical research associates and senior clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
Clinical Research Associate | Senior Clinical Research Associate | |
Average Salary | $62,966 | $95,878 |
Salary Range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $64,000 And $142,000 |
Highest Paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
Highest Paying State | California | Washington |
Best Paying Company | Meta | Acorda Therapeutics |
Best Paying Industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research associate and a senior clinical research associate in terms of educational background:
Clinical Research Associate | Senior Clinical Research Associate | |
Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
Most Common Major | Biology | Biology |
Most Common College | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between clinical research associates' and senior clinical research associates' demographics:
Clinical Research Associate | Senior Clinical Research Associate | |
Average Age | 44 | 44 |
Gender Ratio | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% | Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8% |
Race Ratio | 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% | 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% |
LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |