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Clinical Research Program Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Research Program Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Research Program Manager in the United States is $104,914 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,967
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,544 to $113,317
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,191
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Research Program Manager Salaries

A Clinical Research Program 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Clinical Research Program Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Research Program 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $68,898
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $97,858
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $105,703
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,365
  • Expert (over 8 years): $242,722
Levels Salary
Clinical ... Level Clinical Research Program Manager$68,898
Scientist... Level Clinical Research Program Manager$97,858
Clinical ... Level Clinical Research Program Manager$105,703
Clinical ... Level Clinical Research Program Manager$157,365
VP of Cli... Level Clinical Research Program Manager$242,722
View as Graph

How Do Clinical Research Program Manager 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 Research Program Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $116,161.
  • California: $115,720.
  • Massachusetts: $114,178.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Research Program Managers

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: $132,328
  • San Francisco: $130,879
  • Oakland: $128,121

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Research Program Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.89% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Biotechnology (Mentioned in 0.74% Job Postings): Integrating natural and engineering sciences to develop technological advances and products toward improving lives and health.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.89%
Microsoft Office 2.4%
Biotechnology 0.74%
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 Clinical Research Program Manager's salary.

  • Drug Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Development $113,307
8%
Team Management $112,258
7%
Risk Management $111,209
6%
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Clinical Research Program Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Research Program 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 Research Program Manager positions in MFG Nondurable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Research Program Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Research Program Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$136,388$66.030%
Biotechnology$125,897$61.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$115,405$55.010%

How Education impacts a Clinical Research Program Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Research Program Managers enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Program Manager with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $109,163 and $117,028).

Clinical Research Program Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Research Program Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 1.7%
Associates 2.8%
Bachelors 38.5%
Masters 38.7%
Doctorate 18.1%
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Clinical Research Program Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Research Program 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$93,544
Average $104,914/year
$113,317
$7,795
Average $8,743/month
$9,443
$1,799
Average $2,018/week
$2,179
$45
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,317 $9,443 $2,179 $54
Average $104,914 $8,743 $2,018 $50
25th Percentile $93,544 $7,795 $1,799 $45

Most common benefits for Clinical Research Program Manager

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

Common company salaries for Clinical Research Program Manager

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

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FAQ about Clinical Research Program Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Research Program Manager?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Research Program Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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