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Medical Advisor Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Advisor make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Advisor in the United States is $176,770 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.

However, a Medical Advisor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $184,286
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $166,262 to $180,704
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $156,695
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Medical Advisor Salaries

A Medical Advisor'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 Medical Advisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Advisor'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $172,535
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $173,320
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $173,633
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $175,202
  • Expert (over 8 years): $176,456
Levels Salary
Entry Level Medical Advisor$172,535
Intermediate Level Medical Advisor$173,320
Senior Level Medical Advisor$173,633
Specialist Level Medical Advisor$175,202
Expert Level Medical Advisor$176,456
View as Graph

How Do Medical Advisors 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 Medical Advisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $195,720.
  • California: $194,977.
  • Massachusetts: $192,379.

Top Paying Cities for Medical Advisor

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: $222,960
  • San Francisco: $220,519
  • Oakland: $215,872

Medical Advisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Medical Advisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $198,382. While startup companies pay approximate $168,242.

Medical Advisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $168,242
Growth Stage 51~500 $177,829
Established 501~5000 $191,662
Enterprise 5000+ $198,382

Medical Advisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Advisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Medical Advisor positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Advisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Medical Advisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$247,478$119.040%
Pharmaceuticals$212,124$102.020%
Healthcare$194,447$93.010%

Medical Advisor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Advisor'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
$166,262
Average $176,770/year
$180,704
$13,855
Average $14,731/month
$15,059
$3,197
Average $3,399/week
$3,475
$80
Average $85/hour
$87
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $180,704 $15,059 $3,475 $87
Average $176,770 $14,731 $3,399 $85
25th Percentile $166,262 $13,855 $3,197 $80

Medical Advisor Salary Growth & Career Path

Medical Advisor

Next Role

Advancement

For a Medical Advisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Medical Advising Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $202,642 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Medical Advisor

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

Common company salaries for Medical Advisor

Here are companies hiring for Medical Advisor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Medical Advisor

1. Where can a Medical Advisor earn the most?

A Medical Advisor'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 Medical Advisor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Medical Advisor is $222,960.

2. What is the highest pay for Medical Advisor?

The highest pay for Medical Advisor is $184,286.

3. What is the lowest pay for Medical Advisor?

The lowest pay for Medical Advisor is $156,695.

4. What are the responsibilities of Medical Advisor?

Provides medical expertise in the direction and administration of clinical trials and research activities for clinical product development. Oversees project management and implements scientific processes and procedures. Coordinates advanced phase human trials, regulatory report submissions, monitors compliance, and concludes studies. Requires a MD. Typically reports to a director. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Advisor?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Advisor roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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