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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Research Associate in California is $67,219 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Medical Research Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Medical Research Associate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $77,409 | $6,451 | $1,489 | $37 |
| Average | $67,219 | $5,602 | $1,293 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,945 | $4,829 | $1,114 | $28 |
PBS Biotech - Camarillo, CA
Stratevi - Santa Monica, CA
BioPhase Solutions - Los Angeles, CA
Nourish - San Diego, CA
A Medical 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Medical 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Staff Nur... Level Medical Research Associate | $102,719 |
| Medical R... Level Medical Research Associate | $66,469 |
| Clinical ... Level Medical Research Associate | $76,914 |
| Scientist... Level Medical Research Associate | $109,231 |
| Clinical ... Level Medical Research Associate | $117,999 |
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 Medical Research Associates. 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 Medical Research Associate 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, Medical Research Associate positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Research Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $80,662 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $73,941 | $36.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Medical 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $77,409 | $6,451 | $1,489 | $37 |
| Average | $67,219 | $5,602 | $1,293 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,945 | $4,829 | $1,114 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Medical Research Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Nourish
San Francisco, CA
Nourish | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Our mission is to improve people's health by making it easy to live a healthy lifestyle. Nourish was founded to... more
5 Days Ago
AccuScan Sciences
Milpitas, CA
AccuScan Sciences | Milpitas, CA
Job Description. Job Description. AccuScan Sciences is seeking a dedicated Research Associate to join our innovative team. In this role, you will support v... more
6 Days Ago
PBS Biotech
Camarillo, CA
PBS Biotech | Camarillo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Launch Your Career in Biotechnology at PBS Biotech. Looking for more than "just an internship. ". At PBS Biotech, our int... more
2 Days Ago
Atrium Therapeutics
San Diego, CA
Atrium Therapeutics | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Atrium is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering delivery of RNA therapeutics to the heart to transform the standard of c... more
4 Days Ago
RD Partners
San Mateo, CA
RD Partners | San Mateo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. R&D Partners is seeking to hire a. Research Associate I. in. Foster City, CA. . Your main responsibilities as a Research more
4 Days Ago
TPIRC
Long Beach, CA
TPIRC | Long Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Research Associate - Plant Proteomics. Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site in Long Beach, CA 90806. Appointmen... more
4 Days Ago
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