Mathematical Science Occupations

How to become a Clinical Data Manager

Official title: Clinical Data Managers

Also called: Clinical Data Management Director (CDM Director), Clinical Data Management Manager (CDM Manager), Clinical Data Manager, Clinical Informatics Manager, Data Deliverables Manager, Data Management Manager

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

Main tasks

Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.
Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.
Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.
Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.
Prepare appropriate formatting to data sets as requested.
Design forms for receiving, processing, or tracking data.
Prepare data analysis listings and activity, performance, or progress reports.

How to become one

Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field to enter the occupation. Some employers require or prefer that applicants have a master's or doctoral degree.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US
College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $120,230 a year The middle half earn $85,660 to $158,880.
About 275,600 people work in this job now, and about 371,000 are projected by 2035. (+34.6%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Clinical Data Manager?

How much does a Clinical Data Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $120,230 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $85,660 to $158,880.

Is a Clinical Data Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 35% by 2035, from about 275,600 to about 371,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Clinical Data Manager?

Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Clinical Data Manager?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.