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Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I in the United States is $71,254 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,265
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,689 to $78,588
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,443
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salaries

A Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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:

  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist I (0-2 years): $71,254
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist II (2-4 years): $84,397
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist III (4-7 years): $103,925
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist IV (7+ years): $131,302
  • Regulatory Affairs Manager (7+ years): $151,129
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Regulatory Affairs Specialist I0-2 years$71,254
Regulatory Affairs Specialist II2-4 years$84,397
Regulatory Affairs Specialist III4-7 years$103,925
Regulatory Affairs Specialist IV7+ years$131,302
Regulatory Affairs Manager7+ years$151,129
View as Graph

How Do Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,892.
  • California: $78,593.
  • Massachusetts: $77,546.

Top Paying Cities for Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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: $89,873
  • San Francisco: $88,889
  • Oakland: $87,015

What Skills Can Increase a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.2% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Clinical Research (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): Clinical research is a branch of healthcare science that determines the safety and effectiveness (efficacy) of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease. Clinical research is different from clinical practice. In clinical practice established treatments are used, while in clinical research evidence is collected to establish a treatment.
  • Product Registration (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Product registration is the activity that adapts the product to the legislation. It is the process done before marketing for the product to be evaluated and become fit for marketing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.2%
Clinical Research 2.87%
Product Registration 1.51%
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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist I's salary.

  • Product Registration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Quality Management System: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Change Control: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Registration $74,817
5%
Quality Management System $74,817
5%
Change Control $74,817
5%
Get Latest Data

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,765. While startup companies pay approximate $67,479.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,479
Growth Stage 51~500 $71,367
Established 501~5000 $77,027
Enterprise 5000+ $79,765

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Regulatory Affairs Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Regulatory Affairs Specialist positions in Financial Services or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Regulatory Affairs Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$99,756$48.040%
Software & Networking$92,630$45.030%
Biotechnology$89,068$43.025%
Energy & Utilities$85,505$41.020%
Healthcare$81,942$39.015%

How Education impacts an Regulatory Affairs Specialist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,364 and $69,924.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 4.3%
Associates 5.8%
Bachelors 46.5%
Masters 34.9%
Doctorate 8.5%
View as Graph

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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
$67,689
Average $71,254/year
$78,588
$5,641
Average $5,938/month
$6,549
$1,302
Average $1,370/week
$1,511
$33
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,588 $6,549 $1,511 $38
Average $71,254 $5,938 $1,370 $34
25th Percentile $67,689 $5,641 $1,302 $33

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Regulatory Affairs Specialist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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
Regulatory Documentation Specialist II $79,723 12%
Regulatory Affairs Specialist II $84,397 18%
Product Regulatory Analyst II $77,313 9%

Most common benefits for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I

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

Common company salaries for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I

Here are companies hiring for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Regulatory Affairs Specialist I

1. Where can a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I earn the most?

A Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Regulatory Affairs Specialist I is $89,873.

2. What is the highest pay for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I?

The highest pay for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I is $85,265.

3. What is the lowest pay for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I?

The lowest pay for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I is $64,443.

4. What are the responsibilities of Regulatory Affairs Specialist I?

Supports the oversight of regulatory matters and strategy implementation to ensure the organization complies with applicable regulations. Prepares filings and tracks applications for licensing, certification, and permits and interacts with governmental officials during the regulation and certification process. Monitors compliance with existing regulations and upcoming or changing regulations. Performs impact analysis of regulatory changes and produces status reports. Participates in processes to report, investigate, and addresses any issues of non-compliance. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or 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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Regulatory Affairs Specialist I 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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