As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for clinical nurse researcher in the US is $100,695, equivalent to $48 per hour, $1,936 weekly, or $8,391 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for clinical nurse researcher in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for clinical nurse researcher in the US vary widely, spanning from $78,723 to $115,257. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($89,194) and 75th percentile ($108,317), while top earners (90th percentile) make $115,257 per year. This $19,123 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Accountability or Nursing Practice, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia clinical nurse researcher often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 38 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Business Services to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
clinical nurse researcher Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile clinical nurse researcher Salary $78,723 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile clinical nurse researcher Salary $89,194 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile clinical nurse researcher Salary $100,695 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile clinical nurse researcher Salary $108,317 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile clinical nurse researcher Salary $115,257 US January 01, 2026
25% $89,194 10% $78,723 90% $115,257 75% $108,317 $100,695 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is A clinical nurse researcher ?

A clinical nurse researcher conducts studies to improve patient care and healthcare practices. Responsibilities include designing and implementing research protocols, collecting and analyzing data, and collaborating with healthcare teams to translate findings into practice. This role requires a strong understanding of clinical practices, research methodologies, and statistical analysis. Clinical nurse researchers often publish their findings in academic journals and present at conferences, contributing to the advancement of nursing science. Salaries for clinical nurse researchers vary based on...

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Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    clinical nurse researcher


    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Clinical Research Associate I

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for A clinical nurse researcher, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
89194
108317
100695

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
92003
114657
102855
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of clinical nurse researcher in the United States. The base salary for clinical nurse researcher ranges from $89,194 to $108,317 with the average base salary of $100,695. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $92,003 to $114,657 with the average total cash compensation of $102,855.

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89194
108317

 

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