Clinical Research Associate Salary - What's the pay for a clinic research associate?
Here's What You Need to Know to Get a Clinical Research Associate Job
What's the pay for a Clinical Research Associate?: $61-$110K
What's the pay for a Clinical Research Associate?: $61-$110K
A Clinical Research Associate (or Monitor) is hired either in-house (“the trial site”) or externally (by the sponsor or CRO) to review clinical trial data and ensure that investigational therapies are tested ethically and scientifically through performing site visits that review files like patient medical notes in order to ensure quality of trial data. The catch 22 of clinical research associate jobs is that the ICH GCP guidelines require both education AND experience in order to work in this role, so getting your foot in the door is tough. Once you get experience, your education (i.e., certifications or degrees showing understanding of additional responsibilities) can help promotes you quickly through the CRA career ladder. For those looking to understand more about these guidelines, the ICH-GCP course might be a crucial step.
How to become or get promoted as a clinical research associate?
Having a certification through CCRPS’s accredited Advanced Clinical Research Associate Certification (CRA) course can help professionals 1) get promoted 2) get a raise 3) improve efficiency 4) get hired as a Clinical Research Associate. Additionally, those interested in broader roles in clinical research may consider the Clinical Research Coordinator course, the Pharmacovigilance Certification, or the Clinical Trials Assistant Training.
How much does a Clinical Research Associate make in the United States?
The average Clinical Research Associate salary in the United States is $61-110K. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. For those looking at a leadership role, the Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification or the Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification could be relevant. Furthermore, the Medical Monitor Certification can enhance skills for those specifically interested in medical monitoring aspects.
Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Salary
Per Payscale “An entry-level Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $55,588 based on 203 salaries. An early career Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $66,245 based on 1,118 salaries. A mid-career Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $76,086 based on 294 salaries. An experienced Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $81,540 based on 157 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $83,342.”
Determine CRA Salary by location using Payscale
CRA Career Progression - Indeed
Salary: Clinical Research Associate
Research Associate Salary resource: Click here to see the CRA Salary Range from 1,800+ employers
Clinical Research Associates Pay: Clinical Research Associate Salary in United States (by city)
Durham, NC - $97K
New York, NY, Irvine, CA, Houston, TX - $95K
Philadelphia, PA - $92K
Atlanta, GA - $84K
Raleigh, NC - $82K
Chicago, IL - $79K
Payscale: CRA Career Pathway
Senior Clinical Research Associate Salary
The average salary of a Senior Senior Clinical Research Associate is ~105K per year ($54/hour, $2k/week, $9k/month). This can range from $81k to $139k.
Glassdoor Salary range for Senior CRAs
Starting Salary of a Clinical Research Associate Position is between $60,000 and $65,000
Some employers may prefer hiring entry-level clinical research associates with less experience in clinical research so they can learn their job functions by training under Senior CRAs or CRA IIs.
Clinical Research Associate II Salary is $86,677 / yr
CRA II @ PPD: $84,733/yr
CRA II @ PRA Health Sciences: $96,017/yr
CRA II @ IQVIA: $79,412/yr
CRA II @ ICON: $100,000/yr
Comment below how much you get paid and what helped you get promoted!
Having a certification through CCRPS’s accredited Advanced Clinical Research Associate Certification course can help professionals 1) get promoted 2) get a raise 3) improve efficiency 4) get hired as a Clinical Research Associate.
7 Reasons Why You Should Start a Career in Clinical Research
begin a Career in Clinical Research
How you ever thought that there’s a perfect job out there for you, but you just haven’t found it yet? If you are motivated, informed, and interested in a science and medical career, you might have just found your answer. Many clinical research professionals say this is the golden ticket to a great career in the science field.
Why Clinical Research as a Career
The clinical research industry is a highly lucrative and expanding field. The global clinical trials market has been estimated at $46.8 billion in 2019.
As the push for new vaccines and therapeutics continues to get stronger, the field is expected to grow even more in value. Experts predict that the global market will hit $69.9 billion by 2027. The future in clinical research is bright, and it is one that you will want to be a part of.
Contrary to popular belief, working in clinical research doesn’t have to mean you have to stay in a lab. There are demands and opportunities for every skill set, if you know how to find them. Below, I have put together an in-depth guide on why you should get into clinical research.
Working in Clinical Research
You like a job that’s flexible
Don’t like working in a cubical? How about heading to the airport every morning instead? If you like a job that keeps you moving, then becoming a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) and working in clinical trials might be the right move for you. Learn more about becoming a CRA with this CRA Certification Course.
CRAs, contrary to what most people believe, don’t collect data or interact with patients. A CRA’s day-to-day job is to travel between different research sites and verify data transcription (i.e., data management). CRAs can also become part of the project management as a clinical trial manager of an entire trial.
They are also called “monitors” and a part of "regulatory affairs", because it is also their job and clinical experience to ensure that every site is following proper compliance and protocols.
There are two types of CRAs: home base or in-house. Home base CRAs work remotely. That means they work and travel from home. Most CRAs work for contract research organizations who are hired by sponsors to conduct their multi-site trials.
If you get tired of working home base, you can become an in-house CRA. In-house CRAs stay in one site and work together with a home base CRA to keep each other updated with what is happening at their site.
You like working with people
Have you ever been told that you are a people person with great communication skills? If talking to someone about how you can change their health for the better sounds like something you’d enjoy, you should definitely look into becoming a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC). Explore our Clinical Research Coordinator Course to get started.
CRCs are the backbones to every project. They conduct patient visits, input source documents into the electronic data capture (EDC), and ensure that every trial is following compliance. They are also responsible for handling regulatory documents and updating the Principal Investigator (PI) with trial results.
CRCs conduct a variety of tasks, all of which impact the progress and development of the trial. Every successful clinical trials team needs is a good CRC. So, if you have strong interpersonal skills and know how to stay organized, you will be an indispensable part of the team.
You are detail-oriented and tech-savvy
Are you a self-proclaimed techie? Perhaps you’ve dabbled in coding, pick up computer programs easily, and maybe even have a background in IT. Technology is the future. If you think you have a knack for organizing data, you should look into becoming a Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA). Check out our Clinical Trials Assistant Training to learn more.
CTAs, also known as Clinical Research Assistants, manage the Trial Master File (TMF). They file, archive, and maintain trial documents and study files. They are also responsible for closing inquiries from the CRA, as well as providing administrative support to the research team. Every important step in clinical research, pre-clinical research, study startup, site management, needs a dependable CTA.
While most jobs in clinical research require some understanding of technology, it is especially important for the CTA to know what they are doing when it comes to managing trial documents and study files. In addition, it is equally important that the CTA is organized and knows how to pay attention to detail.
Working in Clinical Trials
Means you like a good salary...with room for promotion
Though there are many career paths within clinical research, most people begin their career as CTAs or CRCs in entry-level positions. Depending on your skill set and what kind of experiences you can bring to the table, either position will help you get your feet through the door.
According to salary.com, a CTA’s average salary in 2020 is $63,000. They generally earn between a range of $54,300 and $73,000, and are provided with benefits such as healthcare and social security.
If being more hands-on in the research process appeals to you, you might be a good fit for a CRC. Similarly, CRCs are making an average of $63,117 in 2020. Most make between a range of $54,210 and $72,902, plus employee benefits.
While numbers tend to fluctuate between cities and states, there’s no denying that these are great salaries for an entry position. Since according to one of the largest global job recruitment sites, Glassdoor, the average base salary in America is $40,000. Starting with an annual salary of $60,000 is considered uncommon and on the high end of the spectrum.
After one to two years of experience on the job, most companies provide CTAs and CRCs opportunities for professional development and promotion. Many become Clinical Research Associates, or CRAs. Indeed reports that the average salary of a CRA with one to two years of experience is $72,358. After building at least 6 years experience, a seasoned CRA should expect to earn $110,102 a year. If you would like to make more money, you can consider becoming an individual contractor CRAs. They can earn up to $300,000 in a year.
You are a science professional wanting to change careers and don’t want to go back to school
In clinical research, experience is often valued over degrees. Rather than what you didn’t study in college, hiring managers are more interested in what you have done in the past and how they can integrate you into their company.
This includes getting certified through clinical research courses, but more so what you learn from the courses you take. CCRPS offers the most in-depth CRA and CRC training so that there's tons to talk about during the interview and a working bank of knowledge during the first few months of the job. Explore more specialized certifications like ICH-GCP, Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification, and Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification to further enhance your qualifications.
While graduate programs can help point you in the right direction, you don’t need a master’s degree to succeed in clinical research. In fact, certain positions don’t even require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree; they have certification in clinical research.
Applying to CRC and CTA positions are one of the most common segways into higher positions in clinical research. CRCs don’t need a bachelor’s or associate’s degree to get their foot in the door. While both CTA and CRA positions require a bachelor’s degree, they don’t have to be in the life sciences.
One of the best ways to gain experience and stand out from the crowd is to have on-site experience. If you need advice on how, Dan Sfera, the CEO of DSCS CRO Clinical Research Services, recommends getting started by interning or volunteering at clinics and research sites to build connections and experience.
Sometimes, the easiest way to get involved is to offer services like patient recruitment and social media management in exchange for opportunities to build your CV. By appealing to a site’s needs, this will help you get your foot in the door and build the connections and resume you need.
Another great way of adding experience to your resume is by training throughcertification courses. When employers see that you have taken the time and effort to understand how to be the best in their field, they are more far likely to hire you. At CCRPS.org, we offer seven courses and certification trainings to give you an advantage. Most of our students are hired within the first month of taking the course. We are accredited by the Accreditation Council For Clinical Research Education (ACCRE) and Joint Commission by the AMA, ANCC, and various other organizations to provide 17.5 CME credits through our CRA Certification and CRC Certification.
6. You are switching careers
Switching career fields can be nerve wracking. However, it is also an opportunity for you to be a unique candidate. Whether you come from a closely-related background, like medicine or nursing, or something completely different, there are ways you can advocate for yourself in front of employers.
If you already have a background in medicine (nonclinical doctor, unmatched MD), your knowledge of healthcare and your passion for patient health will make for a smooth translation into clinical research. In addition, your RN or MD degrees will help you gain a competitive edge and allow you to climb higher positions, such as the PI, who is the primary researcher of an operation.
On the other hand, if you come from a less relevant field but feel passionate, you can still leverage yourself to be exactly what the clinical research field needs. For example, if you are a teacher, your communication and interpersonal skills will be your keys to success. If you are a lawyer, your ability to draft and read papers will far surpass the average candidate.
If you studied mathematics, you are a skilled problem solver. If you are a translator, your language skills are valuable and will help you get into roles that require it. In short, whatever skills helped you succeed in your previous positions, you can bring it with you to clinical research.
7. You want to make a difference in disease outcomes and patient care
There are two types of people in the world: ones who accept the world as it is, and ones who strive to change it. In the last 50 years, science and medicine have gone through a series of drastic changes. However, anyone who works behind the scenes will tell you that medical breakthroughs are not miracles. Clinical research is the culmination of human effort and intelligence.
The fruits and labor of the ever-expanding industry are proof that if enough people care about the world, then they can change it. While there are many good reasons to work in clinical research, if you want the privilege to enrich the lives of others, there is a place for you in this field.
If you want to take a sneak peak at employers and opportunities near you, jobs sites like Indeed are a great resource.
Here are links for aspiring CRAs, for CRCs, and for CTAs. (Note: CTAs are often referred to Clinical Research Assistants, not to be confused for Clinical Research Associates)