Contract CRA - what is the hourly rate? + other questions

I've been a CRA for 2.5 years, mainly working for pharma. I wish to move on to contracting and found myself some companies. My questions are...

1) What should my hourly rate or range be? (I specialize in phase II & III oncology and rheumatology trials, have some project management experience but not a lot)

2) What is the usual rate out there?

3) Hourly rate for traveling differs (i.e. time on the road)? That was the question asked by one of the companies

4) What on-my-bill expenses should I expect? (I'm expecting internet, phone, small amount of photocopying. Any other major expenses hidden?)

5) Say I contracted a project, how would I know # of hours I will be paid? Will they give me an approx figure per site per month?

6) Is there anything else I'm missing? Please feel free to feed me as much information as you like

Big thanks!!

carlos Holcomb in Simi Valley, California said: Hello. Under normal circumstances oncology I have normally billed $75+-hr for oncology work. Nowadays if you can find work for $65-hr you should consider it. There is less work available now than at anytime in my 17 years of industry work.
Cheers
Carlos

Carlos, I assume you mean the rates as a 1099 contractor correct? I have been in pharma for roughly 4 years doing CRA-related work, as in biometrics project coordinator, Clinical research assistant, and a company is offering me $45/hourly as a w-2 contractor (the staffing agency). what do you think?

Chris in Paramus, New Jersey said: Carlos, I assume you mean the rates as a 1099 contractor correct? I have been in pharma for roughly 4 years doing CRA-related work, as in biometrics project coordinator, Clinical research assistant, and a company is offering me $45/hourly as a w-2 contractor (the staffing agency). what do you think?

Chris, I believe Carlos is referring Clinical Research Associate work only and not others related.

By the way... Thanks Carlos, I proposed a similar rate (for Onc studies) and they accepted it. Thank you so much.

I'm pretty sure it is 1099 work because for W2 work, I am seeing anything from $35-$45/hour.

Phoebe Parker in Markham, Ontario said: ...

Although it is true that “serious Illness” (e.g., Oncology, Cardiovascular, Infectious Disease, etc.) tend to lead to higher hourly rates. There are other variables to consider such as: (1) Type of contract (e.g., W-2, 1099, or Corp-to-Corp); (2) Years of specific therapeutic; (3) Years of “monitoring” industry experience; and (4) The profit-margin of the clinical recruitment company. The 5th variable to be considered is the direct contract. In a direct corp-to-corp contract, you the corporate business entity strike a direct agreement with the Sponsor or CRO; no clinical recruiter involved (nets much higher rates). W-2 rates will always be the lowest because you will most likely receive company benefits (e.g., health, dental, and etc.). W-2 rates can vary between $50 - $65/hour. 1099 rates are slightly higher. They typically range between $60-$80/hour. Corp-to-Corp rates are the highest. They can range between approximately $60-$110/hour. Please see my post on the “Contract Clinical Rates” thread for more information.
As for a separate travel rate, you will need to clarify if there is a difference. Every contract is different and you need to ask the right questions AND obtain viable answers from your recruiter (again) BEFORE you sign a contract. There is A LOT to learn before you leap into contracting.
Wishing you ever success!
Alicia Edwards
Founder and CEO
Independent Clinical Research Associates, Inc.
Website: www.IndpendentCRA.net
Blog: thecracoach.wordpress.com/

1) What should my hourly rate or range be? Since you only have two years experience, you can't ask for a lot- I would suggest asking for $70 and negotiating down from there

2) What is the usual rate out there? Usually contractors have at least 5-10 years experience. They should be getting $75 an hours

3) Hourly rate for traveling differs (i.e. time on the road)? This is a new trick. Some companies are trying to pay you only half time for travel. But with all the connections you have to make, cancelled flights, and delays, you could end up hurting if you accept half time for pay.

4) What on-my-bill expenses should I expect? (I'm expecting internet, phone, small amount of photocopying. Any other major expenses hidden?) Don't forget about postage, travel booking fees (unless they provide a travel service)

5) Say I contracted a project, how would I know # of hours I will be paid? Will they give me an approx figure per site per month? Yes, you will ask for a waiver if you think any of your sites need more and they will amend the contract

and how many hours do you do in a week? average. thanks!

1099 or hourly W2...

1) If you're in drugs, oncology is definitely the way to go. $70/hr. would definitely be the minimum to accept.

2) I've been in both drugs and devices. For drugs, I’ve pretty much maxed at $72/hr. Devices on the other hand (which i am currently on) seem to pay more in my region with $90/hr. being a very attainable rate. Current company pays time and a half which shoots rate to $135. Average work week consists of 60 hours. Bi-weekly travel is usually in the 15 hour range.

3) Travel rate is usually 80% of your hourly rate. Some companies go as low as 50%.

4) Don't forget office supplies... you'll find that toner for your printer and fax will go quite quick.

5) I'm sure you'll have access to a system where you can input work and travel hours.

6) If you contract and you're good at what you do... be prepared to be offered a position with the company. I've always found it difficult turning them down. I find that this line of work should be billed hourly since we do tend to work so much. Even if offered $100k+; at 60 hours a week I don't really see it as a win-win. I'll stick to my $300k and get my own benefits, thank you very much :)

Good luck!

Is there a standard contract form I will need to use on a 1099 contract? Do I fill it out or will the company present me with the contract?
thanks

Hi there - in response to Q5 below: I am a team lead for a few contract CRAs. When we bring them on-board I have to complete a document of parameters for them to agree to and sign, based on the study budget for # hours on-site, # hours travel, # hours in-house, etc. There is some flexibility, but that can be project-specific. For example, if the CRA is trying to get to a small town in the middle of Arkansas and connecting flights are the only option available - they may have to go over the allotted travel hours. But you should have this discussion with your team lead/project manager. You should be able to calculate your billable hours based on # hrs budgeted X # sites X monitoring visit window.

Hope this is helpful for you or someone else on this message board!

5) Say I contracted a project, how would I know # of hours I will be paid? Will they give me an approx figure per site per month?

comment to AIC IN CORAL GABLES!

Dear AIC, can you please mentor me in regards to the clinical research field? I'm new to this field and would really appreciate a mentor : )

Thank you!