Clinical Trials Research Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Trials Research Associate make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Trials Research Associate in the United States is $56,232 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,984
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,243 to $61,336
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,700
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View as table View as graph 25% $51,243 10% $46,700 90% $65,984 75% $61,336 $56,232 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Clinical Trials Research Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,336 $5,111 $1,180 $29
Average $56,232 $4,686 $1,081 $27
25th Percentile $51,243 $4,270 $985 $25
Check out Clinical Trials Research Associate Job Openings in the United States
Clinical Research Associate II

Allen Spolden - Cleveland, OH

Clinical Research Coordinator Float

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Clinical Research Coordinator

Phenom People - Columbus, OH

Clinical Research Associate

Castle Biosciences - Cincinnati, OH

Search More Clinical Trials Research Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Trials Research Associate Salaries

A Clinical Trials Research Associate'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 Trials Research Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Trials Research Associate'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): $55,168
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,440
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $82,652
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,165
  • Expert (over 8 years): $108,355
Levels Salary
Clinical ... Level Clinical Trials Research Associate$55,168
Fraud Pre... Level Clinical Trials Research Associate$61,440
Fraud Pre... Level Clinical Trials Research Associate$82,652
Fraud Pre... Level Clinical Trials Research Associate$65,165
Fraud Pre... Level Clinical Trials Research Associate$108,355
$55,168 0 yr
$61,440 < 2 yrs
$82,652 2-4 yrs
$65,165 5-8 yrs
$108,355 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Clinical Trials Research Associate 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 Trials Research Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $62,260.
  • California: $62,024.
  • Massachusetts: $61,197.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Trials Research Associates

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: $70,925
  • San Francisco: $70,149
  • Oakland: $68,670

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Trials Research Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.64% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Retail Management (Mentioned in 2.65% Job Postings): Refers to the process of helping customers find products in your store, It includes everything from increasing your customer pool to how products are presented, and how you fulfill a customer's needs
  • Product Pricing (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): The Product pricing is a process that entails the translation of product value into quantitative terms.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.64%
Retail Management 2.65%
Product Pricing 1.39%
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 Trials Research Associate's salary.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting
$77,600
38%
Commitment
$71,414
27%
Initiative
$68,603
22%
Scheduling
$68,040
21%
Communicates Effectively
$66,354
18%
Project Management
$65,791
17%
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Clinical Trials Research Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Trials Research Associate 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 Financial Services and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Trials Research Associate positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Trials Research Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Clinical Trials Research Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$78,725$38.040%

How Education impacts a Clinical Trials Research Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Trials Research Associates 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 Trials Research Associate with a Associate's Degree is between $50,218 and $53,957).

Clinical Trials Research Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Trials Research Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.9%
High School 5.9%
Associates 17.6%
Bachelors 41.2%
Masters 35.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Clinical Trials Research Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Trials Research Associate'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Clinical Trials Research Associate

Salaries for a Clinical Trials Research Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,711 in 2023 to around $48,867 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Clinical Trials Research Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Clinical Trials Research Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,711
2024
$49,187
2025
$48,867
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,711
2024 $49,187
2025 $48,867
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Clinical Trials Research Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Clinical Trials Research Associate

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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.)

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