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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Trials Manager in California is $120,968 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Clinical Trials Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Clinical Trials Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $131,121 | $10,927 | $2,522 | $63 |
| Average | $120,968 | $10,081 | $2,326 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,267 | $9,106 | $2,101 | $53 |
Exelixis - Alameda, CA
Rose International - San Jose, CA
Neurocrine Biosciences - San Diego, CA
Lancesoft - Santa Monica, CA
A Clinical Trials Manager'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Trials Manager'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical ... Level Clinical Trials Manager | $78,363 |
| Scientist... Level Clinical Trials Manager | $111,288 |
| Clinical ... Level Clinical Trials Manager | $120,221 |
| Clinical ... Level Clinical Trials Manager | $178,985 |
| VP of Cli... Level Clinical Trials Manager | $276,038 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Trials Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Clinical Trials Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Trials Manager positions in MFG Nondurable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Trials Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Durable | $157,259 | $76.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $145,162 | $70.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $133,065 | $64.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Clinical Trials Manager'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $131,121 | $10,927 | $2,522 | $63 |
| Average | $120,968 | $10,081 | $2,326 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,267 | $9,106 | $2,101 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Clinical Trials Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Artech
Santa Monica, CA
Artech | Santa Monica, CA
Clinical Trials Management Associate - IILocation:Santa Monica, CADuration:18Months with possible extensionPay Range:$50-55.21/hrDescription:Must meet all ... more
8 Days Ago
Spectraforce Technologies
San Mateo, CA
Spectraforce Technologies | San Mateo, CA
Job Title:Clinical Trials Management Associate - IILocation:Santa Monica, CA 90404Duration:18Months (Possibility of extension depending upon business requi... more
8 Days Ago
Kaiser Permanente
Vallejo, CA
Kaiser Permanente | Vallejo, CA
Kaiser Permanente is seeking a Research Nurse III, RN to support clinical trials in Vallejo. In partnership with Systeme.io, you’ll use advanced software t... more
9 Days Ago
Exelixis
Alameda, CA
Exelixis | Alameda, CA
SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:The Senior Clinical Trials Specialist, Clinical Operations, role coordinates the activities associated with the evaluation, initiation,... more
8 Days Ago
HCTHealthcare
San Jose, CA
HCTHealthcare | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. HCT is seeking an interim Clinical Trials Subject Matter Expert for a 240+ bed hospital in California. The responsibiliti... more
9 Days Ago
Kaiser Permanente
Vallejo, CA
Kaiser Permanente | Vallejo, CA
Job Summary: In addition to the responsibilities listed below, this position is also responsible for leveraging comprehensive foundational clinical researc... more
9 Days Ago
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