Career Definition for Clinical Data Managers
Clinical data managers are directly involved with clinical research for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and other public, private, and academic-related research centers. Clinical data managers oversee all aspects of program-related data, from design and framework to collection, processing, storage, retrieval, and more, maintaining compliance with FDA and other regulations.
| Education | Certificate and work experience; associate's degree, bachelor's degree, and master's degree are also available |
| Job Skills | Teamwork, communication skills, computer literacy, management skills, database skills |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $95,570 (for all statisticians) |
| Career Outlook (2021-2031)* | 33% (for all statisticians) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Most clinical data managers have a combination of education and work experience, and some hold professional certification. The Society for Clinical Data Management offers a certified clinical data manager credential. The criteria for certification includes a combination of education and work experience. Clinical data managers may hold a certificate in data management or an associate, bachelor's or master's degree in information technology or a related field. Educational requirements vary greatly by employer, although most prefer graduate-level education in either life sciences or computer science. In general, clinical data managers study research methods, science, ethics, anatomy, biology, and pharmacology.
Skills Required
Clinical data managers must have strong written and verbal communication skills, project management skills, computer skills, and database skills. Depending on the work environment, clinical data managers may find the ability to lead a team of workers to be a plus.
Career and Economic Outlook
Clinical data managers can expect a generally positive economic outlook. The Society for Clinical Data Management reports that most of their members work for clinical research organizations or in pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the projected growth of employment opportunities for statisticians, including clinical data managers, is estimated to be 33% from 2021-2031. The same source published the median annual salary for all statisticians, including clinical data managers, as $95,570 in 2021.
Alternative Career Options
Careers similar to clinical data managers are:
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Medical laboratory technologists apply their knowledge of chemistry, biology, math, and related subjects to the study and analysis of biologic samples like blood or urine. Common employers include hospitals, physicians' offices, and diagnostic labs. A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level employment in a clinical setting. Certification and licensing may be required; requirements can vary by state. The job growth rate for this occupation is predicted to be 7% from 2021-2031, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; the median pay rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $57,800 in 2021, according to this source.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts perform a data collection and interpretation role similar to that of clinical data managers; their primary goal is problem solving for an organization - in business, manufacturing, government or scientific services. Employment is possible with a bachelor's degree, but many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree. Applicable fields of study include operations research, management science, computer science or math. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for operations research analysts are expected to increase 23% from 2021-2031. The median salary for operations research analysts was $82,360 in 2021.
