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Scientist - Clinical Research Salary in the United States

How much does a Scientist - Clinical Research make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientist - Clinical Research in the United States is $100,812 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,812
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,799 to $113,898
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,862
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Scientist - Clinical Research Salaries

A Scientist - Clinical Research'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 Scientist - Clinical Research Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Scientist - Clinical Research'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 Research Associate I (0-2 years): $61,344
  • Clinical Research Associate II (2-4 years): $70,978
  • Scientist - Clinical Research (4-7 years): $100,812
  • Clinical Research Manager (7+ years): $108,894
  • Clinical Research Director (7+ years): $162,115
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Clinical Research Associate I0-2 years$61,344
Clinical Research Associate II2-4 years$70,978
Scientist - Clinical Research4-7 years$100,812
Clinical Research Manager7+ years$108,894
Clinical Research Director7+ years$162,115
View as Graph

How Do Scientist - Clinical Research 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 Scientist - Clinical Researches. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $111,619.
  • California: $111,196.
  • Massachusetts: $109,714.

Top Paying Cities for Scientist - Clinical Researches

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: $127,154
  • San Francisco: $125,762
  • Oakland: $123,112

What Skills Can Increase a Scientist - Clinical Research's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.33% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Process Development (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): Process development consists of designing and developing, as well as evaluating costs and efficiency.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.33%
SOP 2.98%
Process Development 1.99%
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 Scientist - Clinical Research's salary.

  • Drug Discovery: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Cell Culture: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Chromatography: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Discovery $116,942
16%
Cell Culture $115,934
15%
Chromatography $110,893
10%
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Scientist - Clinical Research Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Scientist - Clinical Research salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $113,338. While startup companies pay approximate $96,233.

Scientist - Clinical Research Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $96,233
Growth Stage 51~500 $101,678
Established 501~5000 $109,533
Enterprise 5000+ $113,338

Scientist - Clinical Research Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Scientist - Clinical Research roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Scientist - Clinical Research positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Scientist - Clinical Research as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Scientist - Clinical Research

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$151,218$73.050%
Biotechnology$120,974$58.020%

How Education impacts a Scientist - Clinical Research's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Scientist - Clinical Research 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 Scientist - Clinical Research with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Scientist - Clinical Research Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Scientist - Clinical Research
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 1.4%
Associates 25.4%
Bachelors 11.3%
Masters 25.4%
Doctorate 62.0%
View as Graph

Scientist - Clinical Research Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Scientist - Clinical Research'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 September 01, 2026
$88,799
Average $100,812/year
$113,898
$7,400
Average $8,401/month
$9,492
$1,708
Average $1,939/week
$2,190
$43
Average $48/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,898 $9,492 $2,190 $55
Average $100,812 $8,401 $1,939 $48
25th Percentile $88,799 $7,400 $1,708 $43

Scientist - Clinical Research Salary Growth & Career Path

Scientist - Clinical Research

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Scientist - Clinical Research, 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 IV $112,633 12%
Clinical Research Manager $108,894 8%

Most common benefits for Scientist - Clinical Research

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

Common company salaries for Scientist - Clinical Research

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

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FAQ about Scientist - Clinical Research

1. Where can a Scientist - Clinical Research earn the most?

A Scientist - Clinical Research'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 Scientist - Clinical Research earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Scientist - Clinical Research is $127,154.

2. What is the highest pay for Scientist - Clinical Research?

The highest pay for Scientist - Clinical Research is $125,812.

3. What is the lowest pay for Scientist - Clinical Research?

The lowest pay for Scientist - Clinical Research is $77,862.

4. What are the responsibilities of Scientist - Clinical Research?

Assumes lead role in various clinical research projects. Proposes, plans, organizes and executes experiments and research. Secures grants and funding for research and is responsible for controlling budgets. Summarizes findings in reports and communicates results. Interacts with other scientists within and outside of the organization. Provides recommendations that influence extensive clinical research activities. Requires an advanced degree. Typically reports to 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 Scientist - Clinical Research?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Scientist - Clinical Research roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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