upper level job

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Trials Research Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Trials Research Manager in the United States is $108,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Clinical Trials Research Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,209
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,000 to $117,960
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,076
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $98,000 10% $88,076 90% $126,209 75% $117,960 $108,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $117,960 $9,830 $2,268 $57
Average $108,900 $9,075 $2,094 $52
25th Percentile $98,000 $8,167 $1,885 $47
Check out Clinical Trials Research Manager Job Openings in the United States
Clinical Research Associate

Medpace - Columbus, OH

BPC Redaction Clinical Research Assistant

Nationwide Childrens Hospital - Columbus, OH

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Clinical Research Coordinator

Nationwide Children's Hospital - Columbus, OH

Search More Clinical Trials Research Manager Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Trials Research Manager Salaries

A Clinical Trials Research Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Clinical Trials Research Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Trials Research Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Clinical Trials Research Associate II (2-4 years): $70,981
  • Clinical Research Lead Scientist (4-7 years): $100,805
  • Clinical Trials Research Manager (7+ years): $108,897
  • Clinical Research Programs Director (7+ years): $162,125
  • Head of Clinical Research -non-MD (7+ years): $250,036
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Clinical Trials Research Associate II2-4 years$70,981
Clinical Research Lead Scientist4-7 years$100,805
Clinical Trials Research Manager7+ years$108,897
Clinical Research Programs Director7+ years$162,125
Head of Clinical Research -non-MD7+ years$250,036
$70,981 Clinical ...
$100,805 Clinical ...
$108,897 Clinical ...
$162,125 Clinical ...
$250,036 Head of C...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Trials Research Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $137,360
  • San Francisco: $135,850
  • Oakland: $132,990

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Trials Research Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.89% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Biotechnology (Mentioned in 0.74% Job Postings): Integrating natural and engineering sciences to develop technological advances and products toward improving lives and health.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.89%
Microsoft Office 2.4%
Biotechnology 0.74%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Clinical Trials Research Manager's salary.
  • Drug Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Development
$117,612
8%
Team Management
$116,523
7%
Risk Management
$115,434
6%
Clinical Operations
$115,434
6%
Innovation
$114,345
5%
Clinical Monitoring
$114,345
5%
Get Latest Data

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Clinical Trials Research Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $121,186. While startup companies pay approximate $102,823.

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$102,823
Growth Stage51~500$108,661
Established501~5000$117,106
Enterprise5000+$121,186

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Trials Research Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Trials Research Manager positions in MFG Nondurable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Trials Research Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Trials Research Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$141,570$68.030%
Biotechnology$130,680$63.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$119,790$58.010%

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Trials Research Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Clinical Trials Research Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Clinical Trials Research Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Clinical Data Monitoring Senior Manager $143,100 31%
Clinical Research Programs Director $162,200 49%

Salary Trends for Clinical Trials Research Manager

Salaries for a Clinical Trials Research Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $104,851 in 2023 to around $103,675 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Clinical Trials Research Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Clinical Trials Research Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$104,851
2024
$104,542
2025
$103,675
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $104,851
2024 $104,542
2025 $103,675
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Clinical Trials Research Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Clinical Trials Research Manager

Here are companies hiring for Clinical Trials Research Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Clinical Trials Research Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Clinical Trials Research Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    6 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    18 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    18 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Clinical Trials Research Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Trials Research Manager?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Trials Research Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job