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Clinical research assistant salary
Average clinical research assistant salary
$39,837
Understanding Clinical Research Assistant Salaries
The average salary for a Clinical Research Assistant in the United States is $39,837 annually. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specific employer. For instance, Clinical Research Assistants in states like California and Massachusetts tend to earn higher wages compared to those in other regions.
In addition to base salaries, job opportunities in specialized fields, such as oncology or neurology, often come with competitive pay rates. Entry-level positions may start lower, but with experience, salaries typically increase, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in clinical research. Moreover, obtaining certifications can further enhance earning potential.
For those looking to maximize their salary, seeking positions in large research institutions or pharmaceutical companies may be beneficial. These organizations often offer higher pay scales and additional benefits.
To explore job openings and salary estimates specific to your area, visit Zippia. This platform provides insights into various career paths, helping you make informed decisions about your future in clinical research.
Let Zippia find your next clinical research assistant job
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Where can a Clinical Research Assistant earn more?
Clinical research assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average clinical research assistant salary by state
The average clinical research assistant salary in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average clinical research assistant salary states are North Carolina, West Virginia, and Utah.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for clinical research assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $51,632 | $24.82 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $50,718 | $24.38 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $49,644 | $23.87 |
| 4 | Vermont | $46,764 | $22.48 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $48,084 | $23.12 |
| 6 | California | $46,996 | $22.59 |
| 7 | New York | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| 8 | Delaware | $47,949 | $23.05 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 10 | Maine | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 11 | Alaska | $49,587 | $23.84 |
| 12 | Washington | $47,477 | $22.83 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $41,428 | $19.92 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $45,587 | $21.92 |
| 16 | Nevada | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| 17 | Oregon | $42,057 | $20.22 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $41,453 | $19.93 |
| 19 | Montana | $41,723 | $20.06 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $42,823 | $20.59 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $43,750 | $21.03 |
| 22 | Maryland | $46,583 | $22.40 |
| 23 | Alabama | $43,231 | $20.78 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $43,832 | $21.07 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $42,413 | $20.39 |
| 26 | Michigan | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $39,029 | $18.76 |
| 28 | Illinois | $40,627 | $19.53 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $38,998 | $18.75 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $42,394 | $20.38 |
| 31 | Texas | $38,941 | $18.72 |
| 32 | Indiana | $38,411 | $18.47 |
| 33 | Colorado | $37,657 | $18.10 |
| 34 | Arizona | $37,266 | $17.92 |
| 35 | Iowa | $38,232 | $18.38 |
| 36 | Virginia | $38,681 | $18.60 |
| 37 | Ohio | $36,291 | $17.45 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $37,389 | $17.98 |
| 39 | Missouri | $36,596 | $17.59 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $35,032 | $16.84 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $34,818 | $16.74 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $35,133 | $16.89 |
| 43 | Kansas | $35,304 | $16.97 |
| 44 | Georgia | $36,974 | $17.78 |
| 45 | Utah | $34,592 | $16.63 |
| 46 | Idaho | $36,813 | $17.70 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $35,636 | $17.13 |
| 48 | Florida | $33,781 | $16.24 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $35,038 | $16.85 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $32,254 | $15.51 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $32,173 | $15.47 |
Highest paying cities for clinical research assistants
The highest-paying cities for clinical research assistants are Farmington, CT, Boston, MA, and Syracuse, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington, CT | $51,852 | $24.93 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $49,571 | $23.83 |
| 3 | Syracuse, NY | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $47,762 | $22.96 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $46,851 | $22.52 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,448 | $22.33 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $43,872 | $21.09 |
| 9 | Madison, AL | $43,196 | $20.77 |
| 10 | Charleston, SC | $42,392 | $20.38 |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $42,335 | $20.35 |
| 12 | Portland, OR | $42,104 | $20.24 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $41,688 | $20.04 |
| 14 | Providence, RI | $41,497 | $19.95 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $40,846 | $19.64 |
| 16 | Houston, TX | $39,246 | $18.87 |
| 17 | Rochester, MN | $38,408 | $18.47 |
| 18 | Detroit, MI | $38,402 | $18.46 |
| 19 | Iowa City, IA | $38,352 | $18.44 |
| 20 | Greeley, CO | $37,773 | $18.16 |
Clinical research assistant salary details
A clinical research assistant's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a clinical research assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $39,837 | $3,320 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying clinical research assistant jobs
The highest paying types of clinical research assistants are clinical project manager, clinical research manager, and senior clinical research associate.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Director | $82,066 | $6,839 | $39.45 | 6,789 |
| Study Coordinator | $47,435 | $3,953 | $22.81 | 14,929 |
| Research Project Coordinator | $48,683 | $4,057 | $23.41 | 67,800 |
| Research Coordinator | $48,974 | $4,081 | $23.55 | 65,406 |
| Clinical Coordinator | $57,665 | $4,805 | $27.72 | 74,962 |
| Research Nurse | $53,463 | $4,455 | $25.70 | 46,665 |
Top companies hiring clinical research assistants now:
Which companies pay clinical research assistants the most?
Clinical research assistant salaries at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average clinical research assistant salary at companies like University of California, Berkeley and Children's Hospital Los Angeles are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | $51,702 | $24.86 |
| 2 | Thomas Jefferson University | $51,318 | $24.67 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley | $49,855 | $23.97 |
| 4 | Children's Hospital Los Angeles | $49,663 | $23.88 |
| 5 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | $49,282 | $23.69 |
| 6 | University of California | $49,217 | $23.66 |
| 7 | Georgetown University | $48,661 | $23.39 |
| 8 | Yale University | $48,527 | $23.33 |
| 9 | Children's Hospital Colorado | $48,387 | $23.26 |
| 10 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $48,287 | $23.21 |
| 11 | BronxCare Health System | $48,041 | $23.10 |
| 12 | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | $47,849 | $23.00 |
| 13 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | $47,797 | $22.98 |
| 14 | UC Merced | $47,336 | $22.76 |
| 15 | Miriam Hospital | $47,114 | $22.65 |
| 16 | Dignity Health | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| 17 | Mount Sinai Health System | $45,840 | $22.04 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts Medical School | $45,689 | $21.97 |
| 19 | McLean Hospital | $45,122 | $21.69 |
| 20 | University of Michigan | $45,109 | $21.69 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Clinical research assistant salary trends
The average clinical research assistant salary has risen by $6,692 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average clinical research assistant earned $33,145 annually, but today, they earn $39,837 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for clinical research assistants over the last decade.
Compare clinical research assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average clinical research assistant salary over time
Compare clinical research assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Clinical research assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,800 | $19.15 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | $37,300 | $17.92 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $35,800 | $17.20 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $34,400 | $16.52 | -0.7% |
| 2021 | $34,600 | $16.64 | -0.3% |
Recently added clinical research assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago | Clinical Research Assistant | Chicago, IL | 06/30/2025 | $40,133 |
| Prime Healthcare Services | *Clinic Manager-DR Zand | Victorville, CA | 06/29/2025 | $72,072 |
| Headlandsresearch | Clinical Research Medical Assistant | Riverside, CA | 06/29/2025 | $48,001 |
| Headlands Research | Clinical Research Medical Assistant | Riverside, CA | 06/28/2025 | $48,001 |
| Mission Regional Medical Center | *Clinic Manager-DR Zand | Victorville, CA | 06/27/2025 | $72,072 |
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia | Precision Medicine Clinical Research Assistant II | Philadelphia, PA | 06/26/2025 | $47,187 |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine | Clinical Research Asst | Saint Petersburg, FL | 06/26/2025 | $43,034 |
| University of Maryland, Batlimore | Research Assistant, Clinical C2 | Baltimore, MD | 06/26/2025 | $47,800 |
| Stanford University | Clinical Neurotechnology Research Assistant | Stanford, CA | 06/26/2025 | $80,454 |
| Washington University In St. Louis | Clinical Research Study Assistant II-Neurology | Ione, WA | 06/26/2025 | $40,091 |
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