Best cities for a clinical research associate
The best cities for clinical research associates are Henderson, NV, Portland, OR, and Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for clinical research associates vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for clinical research associates in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a clinical research associate or considering a move, this list of the best cities for clinical research associates to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for clinical research associates. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a clinical research associate. While the absolute best city for clinical research associates is Henderson, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for clinical research associates in 2024.
If you're looking for a clinical research associate job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for clinical research associates in 2026
1. Henderson, NV
Clinical research associate jobs in HendersonTotal clinical research associate jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $82,807 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 4.35 2. Portland, OR
Clinical research associate jobs in PortlandTotal clinical research associate jobs: 24 Average annual salary: $82,875 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 4.26 3. Las Vegas, NV
Clinical research associate jobs in Las VegasTotal clinical research associate jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $83,174 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 3.85 4. Detroit, MI
Clinical research associate jobs in DetroitTotal clinical research associate jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $73,752 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000 Location quotient: 3.43 5. Albuquerque, NM
Clinical research associate jobs in AlbuquerqueTotal clinical research associate jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $72,158 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 5.43 6. Durham, NC
Clinical research associate jobs in DurhamTotal clinical research associate jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $68,353 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 6.31 7. Raleigh, NC
Clinical research associate jobs in RaleighTotal clinical research associate jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $68,385 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 5.33 8. Philadelphia, PA
Clinical research associate jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal clinical research associate jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $70,773 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 3.12 9. Riverside, CA
Clinical research associate jobs in RiversideTotal clinical research associate jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $81,869 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 7.07 10. Phoenix, AZ
Clinical research associate jobs in PhoenixTotal clinical research associate jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $76,770 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 2.52
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Best cities for clinical research associates
- Henderson, NV
- Portland, OR
- Las Vegas, NV
- Detroit, MI
- Albuquerque, NM
- Durham, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Philadelphia, PA
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- (2 clinical research associate jobs)
- (24 clinical research associate jobs)
- (15 clinical research associate jobs)
- (12 clinical research associate jobs)
- (12 clinical research associate jobs)
- (17 clinical research associate jobs)
- (23 clinical research associate jobs)
- (25 clinical research associate jobs)
- (7 clinical research associate jobs)
- (26 clinical research associate jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a clinical research associate
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henderson, NV | $82,807 | $52,000 | 292,969 | 2 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $82,875 | $52,000 | 639,863 | 24 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $83,174 | $52,000 | 632,912 | 15 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $73,752 | $47,000 | 672,795 | 12 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $72,158 | $46,000 | 559,277 | 12 |
| 6 | Durham, NC | $68,353 | $44,000 | 263,016 | 17 |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $68,385 | $44,000 | 458,880 | 23 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $70,773 | $46,000 | 1,567,872 | 25 |
| 9 | Riverside, CA | $81,869 | $52,000 | 324,722 | 7 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $76,770 | $50,000 | 1,615,017 | 26 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $82,837 | $52,000 | 704,352 | 23 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $74,911 | $49,000 | 673,184 | 43 |
| 13 | Chandler, AZ | $76,095 | $49,000 | 247,477 | 3 |
| 14 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,749 | $53,000 | 3,976,322 | 51 |
| 15 | Irvine, CA | $81,667 | $52,000 | 266,122 | 14 |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $87,058 | $54,000 | 245,255 | 1 |
| 17 | San Diego, CA | $79,517 | $51,000 | 1,406,630 | 68 |
| 18 | North Las Vegas, NV | $83,016 | $52,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $66,370 | $42,000 | 855,164 | 13 |
| 20 | Oakland, CA | $89,931 | $56,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 21 | San Francisco, CA | $90,116 | $56,000 | 870,887 | 17 |
| 22 | Sacramento, CA | $89,235 | $56,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 23 | Miami, FL | $61,102 | $39,000 | 453,579 | 110 |
| 24 | Saint Paul, MN | $68,222 | $43,000 | 302,398 | 8 |
| 25 | Minneapolis, MN | $68,151 | $43,000 | 413,651 | 16 |
| 26 | San Jose, CA | $89,519 | $56,000 | 1,025,350 | 12 |
| 27 | Jersey City, NJ | $66,837 | $43,000 | 264,152 | 62 |
| 28 | Newark, NJ | $66,795 | $43,000 | 281,764 | 26 |
| 29 | Glendale, AZ | $76,815 | $50,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 30 | Scottsdale, AZ | $76,708 | $50,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 31 | Mesa, AZ | $76,121 | $49,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 32 | Gilbert, AZ | $76,007 | $49,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 33 | Fort Wayne, IN | $69,166 | $44,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 34 | Charlotte, NC | $65,543 | $42,000 | 842,051 | 13 |
| 35 | Fremont, CA | $89,660 | $56,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 36 | Anaheim, CA | $82,054 | $52,000 | 351,043 | 1 |
| 37 | Stockton, CA | $89,133 | $56,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 38 | Tucson, AZ | $74,078 | $48,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 39 | Oklahoma City, OK | $60,183 | $38,000 | 638,367 | 10 |
| 40 | Greensboro, NC | $67,479 | $43,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 41 | Pittsburgh, PA | $66,427 | $42,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 42 | Winston-Salem, NC | $66,999 | $43,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 43 | Fresno, CA | $87,670 | $55,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 44 | Houston, TX | $63,919 | $41,000 | 2,303,482 | 38 |
| 45 | Lexington, KY | $54,891 | $35,000 | 318,449 | 4 |
| 46 | Bakersfield, CA | $85,546 | $54,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 47 | New York, NY | $66,914 | $43,000 | 8,537,673 | 214 |
| 48 | Cleveland, OH | $61,144 | $39,000 | 385,809 | 2 |
| 49 | Santa Ana, CA | $81,856 | $52,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 50 | Madison, WI | $62,375 | $39,000 | 252,551 | 3 |
Highest paying cities for clinical research associates
| Rank | City | Avg. clinical research associate salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $90,116 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $83,174 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $82,875 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $82,837 |
| 5 | Wilmington, DE | $79,579 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $76,770 |
| 7 | Hartford, CT | $75,590 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $74,911 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $73,744 |
| 10 | Albuquerque, NM | $72,158 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $70,773 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $68,385 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $66,914 |
| 14 | Jersey City, NJ | $66,837 |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $66,370 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $64,057 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $63,892 |
| 18 | Portland, ME | $63,790 |
| 19 | Kansas City, KS | $63,172 |
| 20 | Madison, WI | $62,375 |
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Updated January 8, 2025