How to Become a Clinical Research Coordinator
Learn about clinical research coordinator job descriptions, salaries, requirements and career paths. Visit the Actalent job board to find open CRC roles.
Updated on June 4, 2026
Cancer research in the U.S. is continuing to drive growth in the need for clinical trials. That’s why there’s such a high demand for clinical research coordinators (CRCs) to run the clinical trials that test new drugs, treatments and medical devices.
What Do Clinical Research Coordinators Do Day-to-day?
A clinical research coordinator (CRC) is a specialized healthcare professional who manages the day-to-day operations of clinical trials. They typically work for medical studies, like testing new drugs or treatments, under the supervision of a principal investigator (PI). A CRC’s primary role is both operations and compliance — ensuring that the research is conducted safely, ethically and in alignment with strict federal regulations and research protocols, such as those for Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Institutional Review Board (IRB).
An overview of a clinical research coordinator’s daily responsibilities includes:
- Scheduling and coordinating participant study visits and procedures
- Screening and enrolling eligible study participants
- Explaining study details, expectations and consent forms to patients
- Collecting patient data, vitals and study-related assessments
- Maintaining accurate study records and regulatory documentation
- Monitoring studies for protocol and regulatory compliance
- Tracking and reporting adverse events and side effects
- Communicating with investigators, patients and healthcare teams
- Resolving study issues and supporting protocol updates
- Ensuring informed consent and enrollment documentation are complete
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Clinical Research Coordinator Salary and Job Outlook
The national average for a clinical research coordinator salary in the United States ranges between $58,000–$95,000 annually, which equates to about $28–$35 per hour, according to Glassdoor.
Clinical research coordinator salary ranges depend heavily on location, size of the organization and experience in the field, but you can expect to fall in or near the following.
- Entry-level (0–2 years): $45,000–$55,000
- Mid-level (2–5 years): $60,000–$70,000
- Senior-level (5+ years): $75,000–$90,000
How to Become a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator
A few key requirements can set you up for success in becoming a certified clinical research coordinator.
Step 1: Meet the Educational Requirements
The first step to becoming a clinical research coordinator is to obtain the right education and background. CRC roles usually require a bachelor’s degree, and that degree should be in a related science or medical field such as clinical research management, medical technology, nursing or public health. However, some employers may be more flexible in considering non-degreed candidates.
Step 2: Gain Foundational Knowledge and Experience
In addition to the necessary education, CRC positions need at least two years of hands-on experience — this is essential to build the skills to excel.
To gain that experience and become familiar with clinical trial processes, many CRCs start in internships with research labs or healthcare settings. Other CRCs may start in entry-level positions such as clinical research assistants or in administrative roles.
Additionally, networking with professionals while in these early roles has the potential to help open doors to mentorship and job opportunities.
Step 3: Continue Education with Professional Certifications
Finally, after two years of verifiable work experience in a CRC role, individuals become eligible for clinical research coordinators certification exams to help advance their career.
Two certification options available to CRCs are:
- Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC): Administered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), this credential is aimed at those who coordinate and facilitate clinical trial activities at the site level under a principal investigator.
- Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP): Administered by the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA), this broader, internationally recognized credential is not limited to those working as CRCs — it is available to anyone working in clinical research.
Certified Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs and Career Paths
Many people begin their career in clinical research as a clinical research coordinator with the ambition to go further in the field, eventually leading trials. Many people who are passionate about helping others view it as a rewarding pathway to improve people’s health — and even save lives.
1. Entry-level or Junior CRC (0–2 years)
Entry-level roles such as clinical research assistant roles, data entry specialists or junior CRC can lead to clinical research coordinator opportunities.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in health or life sciences, and certifications in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Responsibilities: Managing regulatory documents, entering patient data, assisting senior coordinators and scheduling patient visits
- Earning potential: $45,000–$55,000
2. Mid-level CRC or CCRC (2–4 years)
Typical mid-level positions include formal clinical research coordinator titles or senior CRC roles.
- Requirements: At least two years of experience in human subject research, which is when research professionals usually become eligible to sit for CCRC and CCRP certification exams
- Responsibilities: Independently managing the life cycle of clinical trials, obtaining informed consent of participants, screening and enrolling patients, and reporting adverse events
- Earning potential: $60,000–$70,000
3. Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
Many research professionals leverage their site-level coordinator experience to transition from the hospital or clinic side of the field to the pharmaceutical or contract research organization (CRO) side, where there are further opportunities to advance.
- Requirements: Between two and four years of hands-on human subject research experience (such as being a clinical research coordinator), as well as mastery of clinical trial regulations, GCP and medical terminology
- Responsibilities: Independently managing the life cycle of clinical trials in a pharmaceutical or CRO environment, obtaining informed consent of participants, screening and enrolling patients, and reporting adverse events
- Earning potential: $75,000–$110,000+
4. Clinical Trial Manager or Director (5+ years)
With extensive field or site experience, clinical research coordinators have the potential to advance into higher-level operational roles such as clinical trial manager, clinical research manager or director of clinical trials.
- Requirements: At least five years of experience; obtaining a master’s degree in a related field may be required (e.g., Master of Science in Clinical Research)
- Responsibilities: Overseeing complete trial portfolios, managing teams of CRCs and CRAs, liaising with pharmaceutical sponsors and managing multi-million-dollar research budgets
- Earning potential: $110,000–$150,000+
*The original version of this article was published on September 18, 2018
Frequently Asked Questions
About Clinical Research Coordinator Careers
While some clinical research coordinator roles can be remote, most CRC jobs are on-site or hybrid. This is because they often include facilitating patient visits, handling specimens and coordinating the operations of clinical trial sites.
However, remote CRC roles do exist, and responsibilities are more likely to focus on scheduling, data entry, regulatory support, finance or sponsor/CRO work.
