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Clinical Programmer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Programmer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Programmer III in the United States is $107,709 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Clinical Programmer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,056
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,397 to $115,219
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,008
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Programmer III Salaries

A Clinical Programmer III'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Clinical Programmer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Programmer III'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 Programmer I (0-2 years): $72,191
  • Clinical Programmer II (2-4 years): $97,990
  • Clinical Programmer III (4-7 years): $107,709
  • Clinical Programmer IV (7+ years): $134,792
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Clinical Programmer I0-2 years$72,191
Clinical Programmer II2-4 years$97,990
Clinical Programmer III4-7 years$107,709
Clinical Programmer IV7+ years$134,792
View as Graph

How Do Clinical Programmer IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Clinical Programmer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,255.
  • California: $118,803.
  • Massachusetts: $117,220.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Programmer III

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: $135,853
  • San Francisco: $134,366
  • Oakland: $131,534

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Programmer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 20.51% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Python (Mentioned in 3.35% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • Molecular Biology (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Molecular biology /məˈlɛkjʊlər/ is a branch of biology that concerns the molecular basis of biological activity between biomolecules in the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA, proteins and their biosynthesis, as well as the regulation of these interactions. Writing in Nature in 1961, William Astbury described molecular biology as:
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 20.51%
Python 3.35%
Molecular Biology 1.31%
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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 Programmer III's salary.

  • Molecular Biology: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Organizing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Molecular Biology $115,249
7%
Organizing $115,249
7%
Alignment $113,094
5%
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Clinical Programmer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Clinical Programmer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $121,055. While startup companies pay approximate $102,746.

Clinical Programmer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $102,746
Growth Stage 51~500 $108,570
Established 501~5000 $116,988
Enterprise 5000+ $121,055

Clinical Programmer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Programmer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Programmer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Programmer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Programmer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$129,251$62.020%
Healthcare$118,480$57.010%

How Education impacts an Clinical Programmer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Programmer III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Clinical Programmer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,580 and $112,065.

Clinical Programmer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Programmer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 21.6%
High School 78.4%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 21.6%
Masters 78.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Clinical Programmer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Programmer III'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
$97,397
Average $107,709/year
$115,219
$8,116
Average $8,976/month
$9,602
$1,873
Average $2,071/week
$2,216
$47
Average $52/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $115,219 $9,602 $2,216 $55
Average $107,709 $8,976 $2,071 $52
25th Percentile $97,397 $8,116 $1,873 $47

Clinical Programmer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Clinical Programmer III

Next Role

For a Clinical Programmer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Clinical Programmer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $134,792 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Clinical Programmer III

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

Common company salaries for Clinical Programmer III

Here are companies hiring for Clinical Programmer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Clinical Programmer III

1. Where can a Clinical Programmer III earn the most?

A Clinical Programmer III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Clinical Programmer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Clinical Programmer III is $135,853.

2. What is the highest pay for Clinical Programmer III?

The highest pay for Clinical Programmer III is $122,056.

3. What is the lowest pay for Clinical Programmer III?

The lowest pay for Clinical Programmer III is $88,008.

4. What are the responsibilities of Clinical Programmer III?

Evaluates, develops, and maintains clinical database and analyzes clinical data. Codes, tests and documents databases. Performs data validation and develops algorithms for data management, typically using SAS programming language. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Programmer III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Programmer III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

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