Clinical Study Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Study Lead make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Study Lead in the United States is $104,965 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Clinical Study Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,690
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96,064 to $115,813
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,960
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View as table View as graph 25% $96,064 10% $87,960 90% $125,690 75% $115,813 $104,965 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Clinical Study Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $115,813 $9,651 $2,227 $56
Average $104,965 $8,747 $2,019 $50
25th Percentile $96,064 $8,005 $1,847 $46
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Key Factors That Influence Clinical Study Lead Salaries

A Clinical Study Lead'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 Study Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Study Lead'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): $99,316
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $99,723
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,672
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $101,756
  • Expert (over 8 years): $103,759
Levels Salary
Entry Level Clinical Study Lead$99,316
Intermediate Level Clinical Study Lead$99,723
Senior Level Clinical Study Lead$100,672
Specialist Level Clinical Study Lead$101,756
Expert Level Clinical Study Lead$103,759
$99,316 0 yr
$99,723 < 2 yrs
$100,672 2-4 yrs
$101,756 5-8 yrs
$103,759 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Clinical Study Lead 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 Study Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $116,217.
  • California: $115,776.
  • Massachusetts: $114,233.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Study Leads

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: $132,392
  • San Francisco: $131,091
  • Oakland: $128,183

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Study Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.22% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Sustainability (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): Sustainability is a societal goal that broadly aims for humans to safely co-exist on planet Earth over a long time. Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and therefore vary in the literature and over time.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Developing and promoting acquaintance, empowerment, and integration of each unique individual to create a productive and safe working environment.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.22%
Sustainability 2.87%
Diversity and Inclusion 1.15%
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 Study Lead's salary.
  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Sustainability: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Storytelling
$128,057
22%
CPR
$127,008
21%
Sustainability
$127,008
21%
Emergency Medical Services
$125,958
20%
Diversity and Inclusion
$115,462
10%
Flexibility
$114,412
9%
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How Education impacts a Clinical Study Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Study Leads enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Clinical Study Lead with a Associate's Degree is between $105,039 and $112,687).

Clinical Study Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Study Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.0%
High School 10.0%
Associates 40.0%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 40.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Clinical Study Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Study Lead'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Clinical Study Lead

Salaries for a Clinical Study Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $91,771 in 2023 to around $88,220 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Clinical Study Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Clinical Study Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$91,771
2024
$90,110
2025
$88,220
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $91,771
2024 $90,110
2025 $88,220
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Clinical Study Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Clinical Study Lead

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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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