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Job outlook for clinical consultants in the United States
Clinical consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected clinical consultant job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 195,400 new jobs for clinical consultants are projected over the next decade.
Clinical consultant salaries have increased 10% for clinical consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,692 clinical consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 271,180 active clinical consultant job openings in the US.
The average clinical consultant salary is $74,263.
Are clinical consultant jobs in demand?
Clinical consultant job and salary trends over time
Clinical consultant jobs over time
Clinical consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,692 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,538 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,527 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,450 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,337 | 0.00% |
Average clinical consultant salary over time
Clinical consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,263 | $35.70 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $72,261 | $34.74 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $70,714 | $34.00 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $69,008 | $33.18 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $67,480 | $32.44 | +1.4% |
Clinical consultant jobs by state
Most common states for clinical consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 287 | 41% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 271 | 31% |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 696 | 18% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 120 | 16% |
| 5 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 721 | 15% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 202 | 15% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 163 | 15% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 763 | 14% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 563 | 14% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 142 | 14% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 85 | 14% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,191 | 12% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,042 | 12% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 876 | 12% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 424 | 12% |
| 16 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 365 | 12% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,316 | 11% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,350 | 11% |
| 19 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 693 | 10% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 97 | 10% |
Most common cities for clinical consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 13 | 33% | $76,127 |
| 2 | Frankfort | 8 | 29% | $75,965 |
| 3 | Juneau | 8 | 25% | $98,062 |
| 4 | Dover | 8 | 21% | $90,824 |
| 5 | Lansing | 17 | 15% | $75,412 |
| 6 | Hartford | 10 | 8% | $80,644 |
| 7 | Springfield | 8 | 7% | $69,992 |
| 8 | Topeka | 8 | 6% | $63,885 |
| 9 | Tallahassee | 9 | 5% | $65,963 |
| 10 | Des Moines | 9 | 4% | $64,646 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 8 | 4% | $66,471 |
| 12 | Little Rock | 8 | 4% | $68,072 |
| 13 | Montgomery | 8 | 4% | $68,512 |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu | 9 | 3% | $86,991 |
| 15 | Boston | 15 | 2% | $93,408 |
| 16 | Atlanta | 11 | 2% | $71,919 |
| 17 | Sacramento | 10 | 2% | $109,453 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 11 | 1% | $71,306 |
| 19 | Indianapolis | 8 | 1% | $63,877 |
Clinical Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of clinical consultant experts
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Spalding University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
David J. Smith Consulting
Penny Ridenour
Dean of School of Health SciencesOklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What Clinical Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Penny Ridenour: Commit to lifelong learning in healthcare due to its innovative nature. Technological proficiency is crucial for adapting to changes.
What will help Clinical Consultants increase their earning potential?
Penny Ridenour: Pay attention to soft skills such as listening, empathy, and communication. Develop skills in resiliency to excel in healthcare.
Craig Kimble PHARMD, MBA, MS, BCACP, TTS
Associate ProfessorWhat will help Clinical Consultants increase their earning potential?
Craig Kimble PHARMD, MBA, MS, BCACP, TTS: -Be willing to be flexible (shifts, locations, etc..). Be willing to cover extra shifts if needed. Consider floating if needed as well. This is very needed by many employers
-Ask a recruiter/interviewer, what a successful employee looks like for that organization. Spell out success.
-Set goals with your new supervisor. What do we need to achieve and what are some stretch goals?
Jacey Maple MSN, RN
Assistant ProfessorSpalding University
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What Clinical Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jacey Maple MSN, RN: Starting out I would consider and implement the following practices: Acquire relevant education and build up certifications, research salary trends to communicate them at interviews, continue to polish and build your resume and/or CV, stay updated on industry changes, and lastly seek out all opportunities to grow your experience and expertise in your field.
What will help Clinical Consultants increase their earning potential?
Jacey Maple MSN, RN: My best advice for those entering any health service field is to seek out mentorship and guidance. Find mentors who can guide you in your career journey. Look for experienced professionals who can offer insights, advice, and support. A mentor can help you navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and provide valuable connections.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Consultant?
J'Aime Jennings PhD: These are not concrete rules, but individuals at the start of their career can maximize their salary potential by gaining experience and growing their skillset to be of benefit to their respective organizations. In the beginning say “yes” to participating on projects whether you are excited about them or not. The knowledge gained may be invaluable to the next project that does excite you. Consider various certifications (e.g., LEAN Six Sigma, Project Management, etc.) that help you grow your knowledge base while also helping you stand out from others.
What Clinical Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
J'Aime Jennings PhD: My general advice would be to pursue all the opportunities available to you and don’t shy away from the challenging tasks. Additionally, graduates should know that the learning never ends; the classroom gives you the foundation upon which to build your knowledge and skills, but it cannot capture the myriad of scenarios and tough decisions you are bound to face throughout your career.
What will help Clinical Consultants increase their earning potential?
J'Aime Jennings PhD: I believe that interpersonal and communication skills that aid you in interacting with individuals and teams and allow for you to convey important information coherently across varied stakeholder audiences will be crucial for any graduate pursuing a career in healthcare administration. In addition, adaptability is another vital skill. Healthcare is ever changing, and administrators must have a plan but also be ready for contingencies when new developments occur. Critical thinking and analytic skills, as well as knowledge about artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities will certainly be prevalent skills for the field.
Jay Shen
Professor and Association DeanUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Health And Medical Administrative Services
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Consultant?
Jay Shen: Understand that your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Get any job in a healthcare organization and learn what you like and don’t like.
What Clinical Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jay Shen: There is a 2015 Carnegie Institute study that shows 85% of your financial success is based on your soft skills. As a healthcare executive you need to be able to bring diverse professionals together to solve complex problems for the good of the patient and the organizations. Continue to polish your soft skills, e.g., effective leadership, goal setting and achievement, leading meetings for positive results.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Consultant?
Dr. K. Garling-Nañez Pharm.D.: Resilience and self-awareness are currently essential and will continue to be necessary. Burnout is very high in healthcare-related fields. Therefore, it is vital to have the coping skills and the ability to communicate to ensure your job is healthy and productive.
Flexibility and a growth mindset will also be an asset to most industries. In healthcare, most opportunities exist where other people may feel unqualified or need more experience. The more out-of-the-box tasks and opportunities you take, the more tools you'll have to get significant positions in the future.
Don't be afraid of something you aren't familiar with or perceive that you are not 'good at' since those areas are often where you can thrive the most. Being fearless in your pursuits and learning from perceived failures will put you in the upper ranks of your peers.
What Clinical Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. K. Garling-Nañez Pharm.D.: Take the initiative to be well-versed in the areas for advancement in your field or the positions of interest, paving your path to success. If you have to take a position out of necessity, continue to build your CV with a goal in mind for the future. If you continue to learn and grow, you'll be more flexible and be able to take positions others shy away from.
Make sure the salary you expect aligns with the location, the need, and your experience. High salaries often do not equal job satisfaction; therefore, before applying, decide your career priorities. Quality of life frequently requires compromise in other areas, including commutes, schedule, salary, and responsibilities.
Lastly, salary potential is often tied to corporate culture and opportunities for advancement. In offices or facilities with a 'more with less' mindset, where efficiency and cost-cutting are prioritized, fewer salary benefits may be available, and more 'thankless' tasks may be assigned.
What will help Clinical Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. K. Garling-Nañez Pharm.D.: When seeking a position, it's crucial to physically visit the facility or location and interact with the employees before applying or interviewing. This personal touch provides a realistic view of the working conditions and internal culture and introduces you to your potential coworkers, aiding in your decision-making process.
Always apply to positions that fit your ideals and how you want to practice in your career. For example, it may only be possible if you value relationships with clients/patients in relatively low-volume or less busy locations. Research the values and goals of the company or discuss upcoming changes or aims with management.
Lastly, pay attention to the potential of rural locations. They often provide exceptional opportunities for standing out, growing, and advancing in your career, which is a significant advantage for recent graduates.
Dr. Anthony Stanowski
President & CEOCommission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
What type of skills will young Clinical Consultants need?
Dr. Anthony Stanowski: To be successful, graduates of healthcare management programs need to bring to market the following: skills and character.
In terms of skills, they need to have strong technical and analytical skills, especially at the start of their career. These skills will morph over a job to encompass an interpretation of the data to lead others to action. And that is where communication skills and project management capabilities come in.
Indeed, young graduates need to understand the healthcare system, how it has changed, and why it has changed. This knowledge needs to be deeper than the sound bites heard on the news or from pundits. They need a foundational understanding of the key subjects taught in class.
Most importantly, they need to develop character. Note that I say develope, because some believe character is innate. They can be learned, and they must be exercised. Character includes the ability to approach work in new and breakthrough ways, innovate, and transform. They have to lead by having a strong sense of empathy by understanding that you show only when you help others succeed. They have to do whatever it takes to make things better, which means more than a 9 to 5 job. If you want a 9 to 5 job, there are better places to go than healthcare management.
Those are among the skills and characterize young graduates need. For more, I would suggest taking a look at the competencies for leadership as developed by organizations such as the National Center for Healthcare Leadership https://www.nchl.org/page?page=272, the American College of Healthcare Executives https://www.ache.org/about-ache/resources-and-links/healthcare-leadership-competencies, the International Hospital Federation https://www.ihf-fih.org/resources/pdf/Leadership_Competencies_for_Healthcare_Services_Managers.pdf, Saint Louis University https://www.slu.edu/public-health-social-justice/pdfs/slu_mha_competencymodel_reviewedfall2016.pdf the National Association for Healthcare Quality https://nahq.org/education/nahq-healthcare-quality-competency-framework/, and many others. When evaluating a program to attend, ask about the competency model, they use to develop their curriculum. Does that competency model match what you want to learn? If the program does not know what a competency model is, politely thank them and go elsewhere.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Clinical Consultants to find work opportunities?
Dr. Anthony Stanowski: Yes, the right places to look at are the places where you think you can make a difference. Where is your passion? Is it in inner-city areas, struggling to meet the needs of the poor and disenfranchised? Is it in rural areas where the challenges are how to knit together limited resources to provide to communities that are spread out to meet critical healthcare needs? Is it in sizeable academic health systems where the challenge lies in forming internal and external constituencies' coalitions to succeed?
Is it in integrated delivery systems that are national in scope, working to transform healthcare by knitting together insurance, pharmaceuticals, and patient care but are struggling against regulatory roadblocks and the established ways of doing things? Is your passion in the growing informatics sector, where you can help organizations use data more accurately? Is it in telemedicine? Health policy? Physician practice management? Know yourself and what you believe in. Work to make a difference. Healthcare is the noblest of fields, and I hope that people choosing to enter healthcare stay faithful to its calling.
What type of skills will young Clinical Consultants need?
David Smith: Of course, the need for tech-based skills will continue. But moreover, in the next couple of years, there will be increased demands for careers where personal and humanistic approaches are needed. These are wide-ranging: from home health aids to life coaches. For that reason, the ability to show empathy, apply good listening abilities, and understand and respond to a client's personal challenges will be critical. As society continues to diversify along ethnic, cultural, political, and economic lines, there will be an urgent need for professionals who can seek to connect with clients and help them build bridges, at times, with those who are different.