Occupation · SOC 15-2051.02
Clinical Data Managers
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
Median wage
$112,590
$63,650–$194,410
Projected growth
+33.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
8,250
per year
Employed (US)
233,440
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,373 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingMonitoringActive LearningMathematicsComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementCoordinationSystems AnalysisProgrammingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingLearning StrategiesService OrientationPersuasionOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationScienceOperations MonitoringManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
English LanguageComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsMedicine and DentistryAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingBiologyAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEngineering and TechnologyCommunications and MediaDesignPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingSales and MarketingChemistryMechanicalEconomics and AccountingTransportationBuilding and ConstructionGeographyForeign LanguagePhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
5AM Glassbox Translational ResearchAllscripts healthcare automation softwareAutocodersC#C++Citrix cloud computing softwareClearTrialClinical trial management softwareDZS Software Solutions ClinPlusDrug coding softwareElectronic data capture EDC softwareEpic SystemsEpicCare Ambulatory Electronic Medical Records (EMR) softwareExtensible markup language XMLFortress Medical ClindexGoIBM SPSS StatisticsInforSense InforSenseInvivo Data EPX ePRO Management SystemKIKA VeracityMEDITECH softwareMedidata Rave Data ManagementMerge Healthcare eTrialsMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft WordOpenClinicaOracle ClinicalOracle JavaOracle Remote Data CaptureOracle SQL LoaderPPD eLoaderPatient tracking software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersProcessing InformationGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAssisting and Caring for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Clinical database entry tasks — execute under direct supervision following established data entry protocols in a regulated clinical trial environment.Standard data receipt and filing procedures — apply consistently using approved electronic data capture systems on assigned study records.Basic logic check results — recognize and flag discrepancies for senior review during routine data verification activities.Pre-built data query templates — utilize to document and submit identified data omissions to the clinical data team.Standard operating procedures for data management — follow precisely to ensure compliance during initial project assignments.Existing data collection forms — interpret and populate accurately using study-specific instructions provided by senior staff.Spreadsheet and office suite software — operate to prepare basic data activity listings under guidance from a supervising data manager.Medical terminology and coding conventions — recognize and apply at a foundational level when processing clinical trial data.Data formatting specifications — implement as directed when preparing assigned data sets for downstream analytical use.Progress tracking reports — compile from provided templates to summarize routine data receipt and entry activities for team review.
developing
Clinical database structures — design and configure with reduced oversight using validated database user interface and query software for mid-sized trial protocols.Data validation logic checks — develop and test independently to identify entry errors across assigned study databases in a GCP-compliant environment.Data queries — generate and manage in response to validation failures, resolving discrepancies by coordinating directly with clinical site staff.Project-specific data management plans — draft covering coding conventions, data transfer schedules, and database lock procedures for single-protocol studies.Routine data quality metrics — monitor and report to detect deviations from standard operating procedures across ongoing data management activities.Custom data collection forms — design and refine to support efficient receipt, processing, and tracking of clinical data across assigned trials.Analytical and categorization software — apply to prepare formatted data sets meeting sponsor or regulatory formatting requirements with minimal direction.Database lock workflows — coordinate within a study team to ensure timely completion of data cleaning and readiness for statistical analysis.Performance and progress reports — prepare independently by querying databases and summarizing data entry productivity metrics for project managers.Time management and task prioritization — exercise routinely to balance simultaneous data management responsibilities across multiple active study protocols.
proficient
Complex clinical database architecture — design, validate, and optimize autonomously including advanced logic checks and edit specifications for large multi-site trials.End-to-end data management plans — author and implement covering full lifecycle from data receipt through database lock, transfer, and regulatory submission.Non-routine data discrepancies — resolve independently by applying deductive and inductive reasoning to assess root cause and coordinate corrective actions across clinical and statistical teams.Cross-functional data workflows — evaluate and re-engineer using systems analysis techniques to improve efficiency and compliance in a clinical operations environment.Programming scripts and queries — develop using object-oriented or scripting tools to automate validation, cleaning, and data transformation processes.Regulatory and sponsor data standards — interpret and apply across all study deliverables, ensuring data sets conform to CDISC or equivalent frameworks.Risk-based data monitoring plans — construct and execute to proactively identify data integrity issues before database lock across complex trial portfolios.Advanced analytical listings and outputs — produce independently to support interim analyses, safety reviews, and final study reports for regulatory submissions.Vendor and CRO data management activities — oversee and quality-assure to ensure external data pipelines meet contractual and protocol-defined standards.Mentoring and technical guidance — provide to junior data managers on database design, query resolution, and SOP compliance within day-to-day project work.
advanced
Organizational data management strategy — define and lead across an enterprise clinical development portfolio, aligning practices with evolving regulatory and industry standards.Clinical data management SOPs and governance frameworks — author and maintain at the organizational level to ensure consistent, audit-ready data quality practices.Enterprise-wide database and technology infrastructure — evaluate, select, and champion including EDC platforms, analytical software, and data integration systems.Departmental competency and talent development programs — design and implement to build clinical data management capability across emerging, developing, and proficient staff.Executive and regulatory stakeholders — engage and advise on data integrity risks, database lock timelines, and data submission readiness for high-stakes regulatory filings.Cross-departmental data governance committees — lead to establish enterprise data standards, change control processes, and system validation policies.Complex problem escalations — resolve at the organizational level by applying systems evaluation and judgment to determine precedent-setting data management decisions.Innovation and continuous improvement initiatives — drive by evaluating emerging technologies such as risk-based monitoring tools and AI-assisted data cleaning platforms.Strategic partnerships with CROs, sponsors, and health authorities — negotiate and manage to align data management deliverables with organizational and regulatory objectives.Organizational performance metrics and quality dashboards — design and champion to provide leadership visibility into data management productivity, compliance, and risk indicators.
Also known as
20 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AbstractorAnalystApplication AnalystApplication CoordinatorClinical Applications DirectorClinical Biostatistics DirectorClinical Data AbstractorClinical Data AnalystClinical Data CoordinatorClinical Data Management Director (CDM Director)Clinical Data Management Manager (CDM Manager)Clinical Data ManagerClinical Informatics ManagerClinical Statistics ManagerClinical Trials Data CoordinatorData CoordinatorData Deliverables ManagerData Management ManagerHealth Informatics AnalystInpatient Orders Analyst