Average Salary of a Clinical Research Assistant

A clinical research assistant jobs is a vital role in the healthcare industry, as they are accountable for assisting to conduct clinical trials. CRAs have important duties such as for example collecting and analyzing data, coordinating with medical staff and other personnel, and preparing reports. So, what's the common salary of a CRA? Let's take a look at everything you can get to make in this role.



The common salary of a CRA varies based on location, experience level, and form of employer. Generally speaking, CRAs can make between $45,000 and $70,000 per year. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for clinical research assistants was $60,050 in May 2019. Those in research and development (R&D) laboratories tend to make more than those working for pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare organizations. Furthermore, CRAs in metropolitan areas usually have higher salaries than those in rural areas.

Additionally, experience level can also affect a CRA's salary – individuals with more experience may be able to command higher wages. As an example, experienced CRAs may be able to earn an annual salary of around $80,000 or more. Additionally, individuals with additional training and certifications also can expect higher salaries as well.

Average Salary by Location

The average salary for a CRA varies based on where you live. As an example, in accordance with PayScale, CRAs working in New York City make an average of $60,277 per year. Meanwhile, those living on the west coast earn an average of $52,116 annually. It's important to notice these numbers might not reflect your exact salary; there are lots of factors that will affect your pay such as for example experience level and education.

Along with location-based salary differences, there's also differences centered on employer type. For instance, based on Glassdoor, those employed by pharmaceutical companies make an average of $55k annually while those working in hospitals earn on average $47k per year. Again, it's important to see that individual salaries may vary drastically depending on several different factors including job duties and education level.
           
Qualifications Necessary for a CRA Position

It's important to see that becoming a Clinical Research Assistant isn't something you can certainly do overnight; it needs certain qualifications and experience. Generally, employers require that prospective CRAs have a bachelor's degree in nursing or healthcare administration along side prior experience employed in a clinical setting or laboratory environment. In some cases employers may require additional qualifications or certifications such as for example CCRP certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). It is also important for CRAs to be detail-oriented problem solvers with excellent communication skills simply because they often need to work well with medical staff and other personnel during clinical trials.



In summary, being a Clinical Research Assistant is an exciting job that gives great remuneration potential—depending on your individual qualifications and experience level—along with opportunities for growth within the healthcare industry. The average salary depends on several factors including location and employer type but is generally around $50k-$60k annually before bonuses or benefits packages are factored in. To become CRA you should have at the very least a bachelor's degree in nursing or healthcare administration along with prior lab or clinical experience; additional certifications might be required with respect to the employer's needs. If you're trying to find an exciting career with great potential remuneration then consider being a Clinical Research Assistant today!