People who are already familiar with the field of clinical research know how crucial it is to know the requirements, salary package, dexterity, educational qualification, and other relevant information about the designation they are applying for. Let us know What are the ‘Salaries For Clinical Research Associate’.
Salaries For Clinical Research Associate
On average, a Clinical Research Associate earns up to $75,000 per year and the salary package may vary depending on varying elements like skills, experience, location, sponsor, etc. The highest salary of a CRA in 2022 peaked at up to $500,000 per year while a fresher’s salary is between $40,000-$70,000 per year in the USA.
Clinical Research Associate Must-Know Information
A Clinical Research Associate is a professional who has undergone specialized training to oversee all the aspects of clinical trials. Clinical Research Associates are better known as “Clinical Trials Monitor” or “Clinical Monitor” A CRA’s responsibilities would vary depending on the binding terms with the sponsor/employer. CRAs who work under sponsors tend to get paid more than CRAs who work under CROs.
Types of CRAs
In-House CRA: In-House CRA is a CRA selected by the sponsor after verifying their documents and they may be required to monitor all the aspects from planning to study report submissions
Regional/Home-Based CRA: Home-based CRAs work independently from home and they do not usually handle the planning and preparation stages of clinical trials.
CRO Appointed CRAs: CRAs who work under Contract Research Organisation (CRO) can either be an in-house CRA or a home-based CRA depending on the goals of the CRO.
Eligibility Criteria for CRA Role
- Must have experience as a CRO or a CRA (more than 1-2 years is mostly preferred).
- No specific education is required but many companies want CRAs who at least hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Must be well-versed in scientific methods, terminologies, and research designs.
- Strong adaptability skills in the work environment to keep up with the fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional analytical skills to assess complex and diverse information.
- Punctuality is a must because tasks are very time sensitive and failing to attend to them on time will result in delays.
- Strong communication skills to inspire others and relay particulars to all.
- Basic computer skills related to MS Word, MS Excel, etc. are a must-have.
- Must know about GCPs and all trial-related protocols.
- Can assess critical information and can find errors.
- Prioritizes work by planning meetings and scheduling tasks to improve the workflow and monitor the progress of the trials.
Responsibilities of Clinical Research Coordinators
- Protecting the rights and well-being of humans.
- Ensuring that reported trial data are accurate and complete.
- Ensuring that the trials are conducted according to the GCPs, protocols, and other regulatory requirements.
- Must be the main line of communication between the sponsor and investigator.
- Conducting pre-trial visits, site-initiation visits, interim visits, and close-out visits.
- Verifying the laboratories.
- Ensuring that the investigator receives the current investigator’s brochure and all trial-related documents.
- Verifying source documents and monitoring the consent process.
- Verifying the Case Report Forms
- Submitting reports after visits along with information on subject recruitment rate, trial progress, problems at the site, needs at the site and adverse drug events promptly.
- Managing the vendors.
- Assisting in the preparation of IRB Submissions and tracking them.
Clinical Research Associate Salary Entry Level
Clinical Research Associate income varies depending on various factors and knowing the average or entry-level salary is a must-know information for individuals who wish to apply for CRA post. Freshers can expect a salary of between $40,000-$70,000 per year in the USA. Successful negotiations and a first-class performance record in academics may increase the chances of a higher salary package. On the other hand, CRAs with more than 5 years of experience can expect a salary of between $75,000-$600,000 in the USA. The hourly pay of CRA varies from $25-$100 and the work mode may be remote, on-site, or hybrid in nature.
Clinical Research Associate CRA Jobs
Clinical Research Associates in comparison to Clinical Research Coordinators earn more and have better skillsets and qualifications, hence landing a CRA job can be a herculean task unless the individual has an immeasurable record of experience and achievements in the Clinical Research Sector.
Some of the top CRA recruiting companies are:
- IQVIA
- ICON
- Labcorp
- PPD
- Novartis
- AstraZeneca
- Siemens
Challenges Faced by Clinical Research Associates
- The CRA must act as a watchdog of research activities at all times to guarantee the quality of the trials leaving them with little time to relax.
- CRAs usually need to travel a lot hence they do not have ample time to socialize with people other than the trial and committee members.
- As the CRA act as a vital link between the investigator and the sponsor hence they must ensure proper trust and transparency.
- CRA needs to be on the dot and must be alert at all times as they are dealing with the well-being of humans and their protection, in case of any error strong actions may be taken against CRA which would highly affect their future growth.
Conclusion
Now We’ve learnt about ‘Salaries For Clinical Research Associate’, Clinical Research Associates play a crucial role in the early preparatory stages. CRAs with a plentitude of experience and training are considered prized assets for the company as they can work in resource-limited settings. People rarely can keep up with responsibilities and tasks hence landing a CRA job can be a hurdle for freshers. The designation is perfect for those who are always looking up for challenges.
FAQs
- How much is the Clinical Research Associate’s Salary at IQVIA?
The average CRA salary at IQVIA ranges between $50,000-$200,000. IQVIA is renowned for its high salary packages and employee-friendly policies.
- What is the highest salary of a CRA?
As of 2022, the highest salary of CRA peaked at $300,000 per year and if anyone wants to achieve this range of salary he/she must work for companies for a long time while maintaining their constant top-notch performance.
- How much is the Clinical Research Associate’s Salary per Month?
A CRA monthly income is around $10,000-$25,000 but this depends on factors like the type of company, location, work mode, etc.
