Clinical Research Data Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Research Data Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Research Data Specialist in the United States is $58,981 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,073
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,956 to $67,404
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,739

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Research Data Specialist Salaries

A Clinical Research Data Specialist'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 Research Data Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Research Data Specialist'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): $92,106
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,608
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $68,969
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $97,959
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,812
Levels Salary
Staff Nur... Level Clinical Research Data Specialist$92,106
Clinical ... Level Clinical Research Data Specialist$59,608
Clinical ... Level Clinical Research Data Specialist$68,969
Scientist... Level Clinical Research Data Specialist$97,959
Clinical ... Level Clinical Research Data Specialist$105,812

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Research Data Specialists

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: $74,393
  • San Francisco: $73,578
  • Oakland: $72,028

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Research Data Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Integrity (Mentioned in 5.09% Job Postings): Is about having strong principles and values, which you demonstrate through your conduct in the work environment. A common integrity definition states that people with integrity do the right thing even when nobody is watching.
  • Oncology (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Designing, constructing, and repairing dental prosthetics and restorative and orthodontic devices to help patients correct dental conditions.
  • Data Collection (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a component of research in all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, and business. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same. The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence that allows analysis to lead to the formulation of convincing and credible answers to the questions that have been posed.
Skills Demand Percentage
Integrity 5.09%
Oncology 2.46%
Data Collection 1.46%

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 Research Data Specialist's salary.

  • Line Management: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Patient Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Line Management $78,445
33%
Dedication $64,290
9%
Patient Safety $63,110
7%

Clinical Research Data Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Research Data Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Research Data Specialist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Research Data Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Research Data Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$70,777$34.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$64,879$31.010%

How Education impacts a Clinical Research Data Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Research Data Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Research Data Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,284 and $68,801).

Clinical Research Data Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Research Data Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 2.7%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 61.9%
Masters 26.5%
Doctorate 6.6%

Clinical Research Data Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Research Data Specialist'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
$49,956
Average $58,981/year
$67,404
$4,163
Average $4,915/month
$5,617
$961
Average $1,134/week
$1,296
$24
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,404 $5,617 $1,296 $32
Average $58,981 $4,915 $1,134 $28
25th Percentile $49,956 $4,163 $961 $24

Most common benefits for Clinical Research Data Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Clinical Research Data Specialist

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

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FAQ about Clinical Research Data Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Research Data Specialist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Research Data Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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