Your Graduation is coming close?
You wonder - what’s next?
If you’re a student wondering about your career options after graduation, one industry to consider is clinical research. With the ongoing demand for clinical trials to develop new drugs and treatments, the field is projected to continue growing at a rapid pace.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the exciting career paths in clinical research and provide information on starting salaries and potential earnings within one to three years.
Clinical Study Coordinator
One entry-level position in clinical research is the role of a Clinical StudyCoordinator (CRC). This position involves managing and coordinating the day-to-day activities of clinical trials. CRCs are responsible for recruiting patients, coordinating visits, and ensuring that the study protocol is being followed. A CRC typically requires a bachelor’s degree, and the starting salary ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 per year.
In just one to three years, a CRC can expect to earn a salary between $50,000 and $75,000. However, earning potential can increase significantly with experience, and some CRCs may go on to become Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), which can lead to even higher salaries.
Clinical Research Associate
A Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is responsible for ensuring that clinical trials are conducted in compliance with the study protocol, regulatory requirements, and good clinical practice guidelines. They monitor and manage the progress of clinical trials, ensuring that they are conducted safely and ethically. A CRA typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a life science field and several years of experience as a CRC or similar role.
The starting salary for a CRA is higher than that of a CRC, typically ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 per year. In one to three years, a CRA can expect to earn a salary between $75,000 and $100,000. With experience and additional training, some CRAs may advance to become Senior CRAs or move into management positions.
Clinical Trial Assistant
Another entry-level position in clinical research is the role of Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA). A CTA is responsible for providing administrative support to the clinical research team, including maintaining study files and documents, coordinating meetings, and assisting with study start-up activities. A CTA typically requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, and the starting salary ranges from $35,000 to $50,000 per year.
In one to three years, a CTA can expect to earn a salary between $40,000 and $60,000 per year. With experience, some CTAs may advance to become Study Start-Up Specialists or Trial Master File Specialists, which can lead to higher salaries and more responsibility.
Study Start-Up Specialist
A Study Start-Up Specialist is responsible for overseeing the regulatory and administrative aspects of clinical trial start-up. This includes ensuring that all necessary documents are in place, coordinating with regulatory authorities, and preparing study sites for initiation. A Study Start-Up Specialist typically requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, and the starting salary ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 per year.
In one to three years, a Study Start-Up Specialist can expect to earn a salary between $60,000 and $90,000 per year. With experience and additional training, some Study Start-Up Specialists may advance to become Project Managers or move into leadership positions.
Trial Master File Specialist
A Trial Master File (TMF) Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all documents related to a clinical trial are complete, accurate, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. This includes managing the TMF and coordinating with study sites to ensure that all necessary documents are collected and filed appropriately. A TMF Specialist typically requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, and the starting salary ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 per year.
In one to three years, a TMF Specialist can expect to earn a salary between $60,000 and $90,000 per year. With experience and additional training, some TMF Specialists may advance to become Project Managers or move into leadership positions.
START YOUR CLINICAL RESEARCH CAREER
If you’re a student considering a career in clinical research, there are many exciting opportunities available. Entry-level positions such as CRC and CTA provide a solid foundation for a successful career, with the potential for significant earnings growth. Study Start-Up Specialists and TMF Specialists offer additional career paths, each with unique opportunities for advancement and salary. Don’t hesitate to explore the world of clinical research and discover the career path that’s right for you.
If you’re interested in exploring a career in clinical research, we invite you to join VIARES. VIARES is a leading provider of clinical research training and career services, connecting graduates with top employers in the industry. Our comprehensive training programs provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in clinical research, including hands-on experience working on real clinical trials documents.
With VIARES, you’ll have access to a network of industry professionals and job opportunities that you won’t find elsewhere. Our career services can help you find the perfect entry-level position to launch your career, and our ongoing support and resources can help you grow and advance in your career over time.
Don’t wait to start your career in clinical research – join VIARES today and take the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career in this growing industry. With the right training and support, you can achieve your career goals and make a difference in the lives of patients around the world.
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Hear from our Graduates
VIARES already supported 5500+ talents from 100+ countries on all continents. Here is a Snapshot of Graduate Experience and how they benefited from our Clinical Research Training Courses and Job Support.
Izabela
Clinical Trial Administrator, IQVIAI wanted to progress in my career, as I already was working in the field of clinical research. For me the course was a great experience, I learned a lot. I was able to broaden my knowledge about clinical trials and now
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I feel prepared for the interviews and career steps to come! The teachers were extremely good trained and it was a pleasure to learn from them.
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Vassil
Clinical Coordinator, KCR CROProud to announce that I have passed the Final Exam on the VIARES Clinical Research Talent Program. I strongly recommend it to all people interested in the field of clinical trials. Of course many thanks to Dietmar Eglhofer for creating this program
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and all the great tutors: Eric Klaver, Gavin Chait and Gabriele Disselhoff.
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Shilpa
MSL Team Manager, AbbottThe VIARES Clinical Research Talent Program provided me a great opportunity to refresh and rebuild my clinical research skills and competencies. The program was well structured and covered the key aspects related to clinical research, drug
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development, ICH guidelines, and clinical research regulations. The self-learning modules, followed by live webinars led by subject matter experts, provided the participants a platform to understand the key concepts and engage in great dialogue and discussions. I thank VIARES for giving me this opportunity and highly recommend this program to professionals looking to start a career in clinical research.
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Iwona
Clinical Trial Administrator, DOCS (ICON) with JanssenVIARES Academy supported me at every step in my course and answered my questions instantly. Moreover the platform is very organized and I could find my way around very fast.
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The course content provided by the courses at VIARES have helped me to improve my knowledge at my current job as a clinical trials assistant.
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