Clinical Research Associate Vs Study Coordinator

The differences between clinical research associates and study coordinators 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 study coordinator. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, which is higher than the $47,435 average annual salary of a study coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and CRA. The most important skills for a study coordinator are patients, informed consent, and IRB.

Clinical research associate vs study coordinator overview

Clinical Research AssociateStudy Coordinator
Yearly Salary$62,966$47,435
Hourly rate$30.27$22.81
Growth Rate6%6%
Number Of Jobs94,33614,929
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average Age4444
Years Of Experience22

What does a Clinical Research Associate do?

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.

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.

Clinical research associate vs study coordinator salary

Clinical research associates and study coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research AssociateStudy Coordinator
Average Salary$62,966$47,435
Salary RangeBetween $43,000 And $91,000Between $34,000 And $65,000
Highest Paying CitySan Francisco, CAOakland, CA
Highest Paying StateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best Paying CompanyMetaBloodworks Northwest
Best Paying IndustryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical research associate and study coordinator education

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

Clinical Research AssociateStudy Coordinator
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most Common MajorBiologyNursing
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Clinical research associate vs study coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research associates' and study coordinators' demographics:

Clinical Research AssociateStudy Coordinator
Average Age4444
Gender RatioMale, 28.3% Female, 71.7%Male, 23.7% Female, 76.3%
Race RatioBlack 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, 15.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research associate and study coordinator duties and responsibilities

Clinical Research Associate Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Show More

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.
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Clinical research associate vs study coordinator skills

Common Clinical Research Associate Skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%
Common Study Coordinator Skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Clinical Trials, 4%

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