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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Trial Specialist in California is $68,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Clinical Trial Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Clinical Trial Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $79,348 | $6,612 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $68,902 | $5,742 | $1,325 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,396 | $4,950 | $1,142 | $29 |
Janux Therapeutics - San Diego, CA
Soleno - Redwood City, CA
Vivo HealthStaff - San Diego, CA
Imperative Care - Campbell, CA
A Clinical Trial 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Trial 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Staff Nur... Level Clinical Trial Specialist | $105,291 |
| Clinical ... Level Clinical Trial Specialist | $68,134 |
| Clinical ... Level Clinical Trial Specialist | $78,840 |
| Scientist... Level Clinical Trial Specialist | $111,966 |
| Clinical ... Level Clinical Trial Specialist | $120,954 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Trial Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Clinical Trial 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 Trial Specialist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Trial Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $82,682 | $40.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $75,792 | $36.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Clinical Trial 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $79,348 | $6,612 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $68,902 | $5,742 | $1,325 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,396 | $4,950 | $1,142 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Clinical Trial Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
VIKING THERAPEUTICS INC
San Diego, CA
VIKING THERAPEUTICS INC | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Sr./Clinical Trials Manager (CTM) will support the conduct of clinical trials and data collection and re... more
2 Days Ago
Janux Therapeutics
San Diego, CA
Janux Therapeutics | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. The Senior Clinical Trial Manager will be responsible for managing operational aspects of assigned clinical trials, with ... more
2 Days Ago
MyOme
San Francisco, CA
MyOme | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. MyOme's mission is to provide clinically actionable genetic information to patients throughout their lives. We combine cl... more
3 Days Ago
Maze Therapeutics
South San Francisco, CA
Maze Therapeutics | South San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. The Opportunity. At Maze Therapeutics, we believe that precision medicine has the power to transform the lives of patient... more
4 Days Ago
Spyglass Pharma
Aliso Viejo, CA
Spyglass Pharma | Aliso Viejo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About SpyGlass Pharma. At SpyGlass Pharma (NASDAQ: SGP), we are focused on improving and preserving the vision of patient... more
4 Days Ago
Predicine, Inc
Hayward, CA
Predicine, Inc | Hayward, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Clinical Trial Associate. Location: Onsite, Hayward, CA. Department: Clinical Development. Employment Type: Full Time. Po... more
4 Days Ago
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