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Clinical Research Associate I Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Research Associate I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Research Associate I in the United States is $61,342 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,044
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,701 to $70,608
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,834
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Research Associate I Salaries

A Clinical Research Associate I'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 Research Associate I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Research Associate I'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:

  • Staff Nurse - RN - Research (0-0 years): $94,795
  • Clinical Research Associate I (0-2 years): $61,342
  • Clinical Research Associate II (2-4 years): $70,981
  • Scientist - Clinical Research (4-7 years): $100,805
  • Clinical Research Manager (7+ years): $108,897
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Staff Nurse - RN - Research0-0 years$94,795
Clinical Research Associate I0-2 years$61,342
Clinical Research Associate II2-4 years$70,981
Scientist - Clinical Research4-7 years$100,805
Clinical Research Manager7+ years$108,897
View as Graph

How Do Clinical Research Associate Is 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 Research Associate Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,918.
  • California: $67,660.
  • Massachusetts: $66,758.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Research Associate I

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: $77,371
  • San Francisco: $76,524
  • Oakland: $74,911

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Research Associate I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Integrity (Mentioned in 5.09% Job Postings): Is about having strong principles and values, which you demonstrate through your conduct in the work environment. A common integrity definition states that people with integrity do the right thing even when nobody is watching.
  • Oncology (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Designing, constructing, and repairing dental prosthetics and restorative and orthodontic devices to help patients correct dental conditions.
  • Data Collection (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a component of research in all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, and business. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same. The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence that allows analysis to lead to the formulation of convincing and credible answers to the questions that have been posed.
Skills Demand Percentage
Integrity 5.09%
Oncology 2.46%
Data Collection 1.46%
See More Skills

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 Research Associate I's salary.

  • Line Management: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Patient Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Line Management $81,585
33%
Dedication $66,863
9%
Patient Safety $65,636
7%
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Clinical Research Associate I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Clinical Research Associate I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,024. While startup companies pay approximate $58,627.

Clinical Research Associate I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,627
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,938
Established 501~5000 $66,715
Enterprise 5000+ $69,024

Clinical Research Associate I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Research Associate I 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 Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Research Associate positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Research Associate I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Research Associate I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$73,610$35.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$67,476$32.010%

How Education impacts an Clinical Research Associate I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Research Associate I 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 Research Associate I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,284 and $68,801.

Clinical Research Associate I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Research Associate I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 2.7%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 61.9%
Masters 26.5%
Doctorate 6.6%
View as Graph

Clinical Research Associate I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Research Associate I'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
$52,701
Average $61,342/year
$70,608
$4,392
Average $5,112/month
$5,884
$1,013
Average $1,180/week
$1,358
$25
Average $29/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,608 $5,884 $1,358 $34
Average $61,342 $5,112 $1,180 $29
25th Percentile $52,701 $4,392 $1,013 $25

Clinical Research Associate I Salary Growth & Career Path

Clinical Research Associate I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Clinical Research Associate I, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Clinical Research Monitor II $77,407 26%
Clinical Research Associate II $70,981 16%

Most common benefits for Clinical Research Associate I

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

Common company salaries for Clinical Research Associate I

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

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FAQ about Clinical Research Associate I

1. Where can a Clinical Research Associate I earn the most?

A Clinical Research Associate I'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 Research Associate I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Clinical Research Associate I is $77,371.

2. What is the highest pay for Clinical Research Associate I?

The highest pay for Clinical Research Associate I is $79,044.

3. What is the lowest pay for Clinical Research Associate I?

The lowest pay for Clinical Research Associate I is $44,834.

4. What are the responsibilities of Clinical Research Associate I?

Participates in the design, administration, and execution of clinical research trials. Conducts standard tests in accordance with established policies and procedures. Analyzes and evaluates clinical data gathered during research. Ensures compliance with protocol and overall clinical objectives. Possesses knowledge of FDA regulatory requirements, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) research standards, and JCAHO and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Requires a bachelor's degree. May require ACRP or SOCRA certification. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Research Associate I?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Research Associate I 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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