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Job outlook for clinical research specialists in the United States
Clinical research specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected clinical research specialist job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 4,600 new jobs for clinical research specialists are projected over the next decade.
Clinical research specialist salaries have increased 15% for clinical research specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 33,905 clinical research specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 96,707 active clinical research specialist job openings in the US.
The average clinical research specialist salary is $60,945.
Are clinical research specialist jobs in demand?
Clinical research specialist job and salary trends over time
Clinical research specialist jobs over time
Clinical research specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,905 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 34,409 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 30,712 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 27,329 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 25,492 | 0.01% |
Average clinical research specialist salary over time
Clinical research specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $60,945 | $29.30 | +6.8% |
| 2024 | $57,039 | $27.42 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $54,724 | $26.31 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $52,564 | $25.27 | --0.7% |
| 2021 | $52,952 | $25.46 | --0.3% |
Clinical research specialist jobs by state
Most common states for clinical research specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 394 | 57% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,285 | 33% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 339 | 32% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 189 | 30% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,190 | 29% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 211 | 28% |
| 7 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 359 | 27% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 264 | 27% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 232 | 27% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,451 | 26% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 269 | 26% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 339 | 25% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3,028 | 24% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,162 | 24% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 8,899 | 23% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,284 | 23% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 715 | 23% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 435 | 23% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,262 | 22% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 453 | 22% |
Most common cities for clinical research specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 2 | 8% | $69,214 |
| 2 | San Fernando | 2 | 8% | $78,787 |
| 3 | Lawndale | 2 | 6% | $77,746 |
| 4 | Miami | 22 | 5% | $70,364 |
| 5 | DeLand | 1 | 3% | $68,041 |
| 6 | Irvine | 4 | 2% | $76,801 |
| 7 | Alhambra | 2 | 2% | $78,057 |
| 8 | Santa Monica | 2 | 2% | $78,174 |
| 9 | Brookline | 1 | 2% | $69,436 |
| 10 | Baltimore | 8 | 1% | $62,930 |
| 11 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $69,418 |
| 12 | Springfield | 2 | 1% | $69,834 |
| 13 | Berkeley | 1 | 1% | $85,602 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 7 | 0% | $78,111 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $63,228 |
| 16 | Houston | 2 | 0% | $52,014 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $49,020 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $73,661 |
| 19 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $66,582 |
Clinical Research Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of clinical research specialist experts
Swarthmore College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato
University of Minnesota
Stevens Institute of Technology
Drexel University
Washington University in St Louis
Morehouse School of Medicine
McMurry University
The University of Iowa
State University of New York at Oswego
The College of Wooster
Ohio State University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Clinical Research Specialists?
Michael Brown: I don't think so. This has been a challenging year, but 10 years from now, I think graduates will reflect back and see this year as just that: a challenge that we eventually overcame. We developed tools for remote meetings and interviews that I think we will use moving forward.
What will help Clinical Research Specialists increase their earning potential?
Michael Brown: I think having a suite of skills is the best strategy. Our graduates learn physics analysis and problem solving skills, but also computer modelling skills, experimental techniques, writing skills, and even how to make an effective presentation.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Research Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Marianela Rivera Ph.D.: The pandemic has had a strong impact on the job market, and it seems that many of those changes are not necessarily going to go away once the situation goes back to normal. The market is highly competitive, even more than before; therefore candidates should be able to demonstrate that they are not limiting themselves to their degrees. Looking for ways to keep up with technology and teaching trends is a must. Flexibility and the willingness and ability to work remotely I think are some of the most important trends in the job market as well. Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they are able to adapt and that they are willing to keep learning. Another significant factor to keep in mind is the importance given to diverse and inclusive environments. The pandemic has also highlighted issues related to sexism, racism, and inequality. Departments of Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics are looking to become more inclusive, therefore, they look for candidates who support an inclusive curriculum, show experience working with diverse populations of students, and demonstrate a commitment to teaching in and about multicultural environments.
What technical skills for a Clinical Research Specialist stand out to employers?
Marianela Rivera Ph.D.: In the past, technology was not necessarily one of the main concerns for people interested in romance languages, literatures, and linguistics; however, even before the pandemic, a variety of platforms and resources were made available to facilitate teaching courses related to those fields. The pandemic has highlighted the need to adapt to evolving times, so now technical skills are definitely something employers look for in potential candidates in addition to teaching and research excellence. Knowledge of and experience in online course development, technical writing, social media management, learning management systems, and project management are definitely skills that would stand out to employers.
How have salaries changed over time for Clinical Research Specialists?
Marianela Rivera Ph.D.: I think in terms of the salary, there has not been a significant change, especially for those who recently graduate and go into the job market; however, there are many more opportunities in terms of professional development and also to promote and implement interdisciplinary projects. Additional financial support is usually available for those who demonstrate interest and/or experience in developing research and/or service-learning projects, but it all depends on the institution.
Hunter Hampton Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorStephen F. Austin State University
Department of History
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Clinical Research Specialists?
Hunter Hampton Ph.D.: Historically, the biggest impact on a person's job prospects is an undergraduate degree. As I tell my students, the most important thing you can major in is the one that you finish. But I believe flexibility in an undergraduate degree is beneficial for future employment. Majoring in the humanities provides job seekers cultural awareness, written and oral communication skills, and critical thinking. If the past year has taught us anything about work, cultural awareness, clear communication, critical thinking, and flexibility are essential for successful employers and employees. This skillset also widens job prospects for applicants. As the nature of work continues to change in the wake of the pandemic, I think that employers will seek out employees with a flexible skill set that can adapt quickly to unforeseen of conditions and tasks.
How have salaries changed over time for Clinical Research Specialists?
Hunter Hampton Ph.D.: This is difficult to answer because of the variety of fields that someone with a history degree can go into. They range from lawyers, museum curators, writers, business owners, teachers, and a few that get a Ph.D to teach at the college level. For my field as a professor specifically, the salaries are near flat over the past four years. I don't foresee them improving in the near future as state funding continues to decline for higher education. But I do believe that the salary for history majors will increase as employers continue to see the value of hiring humanities graduates.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Research Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Hunter Hampton Ph.D.: As someone who graduated from college in 2008 and sought refuge in graduate school, I believe we will see a similar influx in graduate student enrollments over the next two or three years as the economy hopefully recovers. Immediately after I graduated, I applied to about twenty minimum-wage retail jobs. I got two interviews and only one job offer. I saw graduate school as a tool to both buy time in hopes of improved job prospects and increase my qualifications for that future job market. I could see a similar trend now. People that lost their job due to the pandemic may return to finish their undergraduate degree or begin a graduate program for the same reason that I did.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Clinical Research Specialists?
Tao Peng Ph.D.: In the pandemic period, it will become more difficult to find history-related jobs. Some graduates may only find jobs that do not require historical skills.
To make themselves more competitive, students may consider developing new skills: not only historical research and writing skills, but also foreign language skill, programming skill, and/or other interdisciplinary skill(s). They may also consider applying for graduate programs to pursue advanced degrees. Besides, students may find it helpful to find opportunities to practice and teach history: for example, doing interns in local museums or historical societies, or teaching some history courses in local schools.
What soft skills should all Clinical Research Specialists possess?
Lee Penn Ph.D.: I hear over and over again from recruiters - they want candidates with strong backgrounds in their majors PLUS two things.
1 - experience with data science, statistics, or some kind of computer science
2 - soft skills (communication, playing well with other, collaboration, etc...)
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Research Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ionut Florescu: When the pandemic started in March 2020 the job market drained. I had students with internships blocked and job offers rescinded over night. The fact that we had 87% employment 3 months after graduation for the program I am leading, during pandemic times I think is a testimonial of the strength of our career development team. This changed in December 2020 and I believe this spring we will see a return to normality. We are already doing better than last year and the semester is not even finished.
I am seeing all interviews going online even for companies that are next to us. So, in theory at least, our advantage being right next to Manhattan and Jersey City is not as prominent as before the pandemic. Yet, in the last two months our students are doing as well as before the pandemic. The reason, I think they keep coming back to us is tradition and the fact that our graduates are very technically sound.
Our undergraduate program Quantitative Finance was completely unaffected by the pandemic. The reason is the students typically get offers in their third year. So seniors were unaffected and juniors are now getting offers. This is because the QF program is extremely technical. It probably is the only program in Business Schools in US where students are taking Calc I through IV, and more probability and statistics than any engineering program. I think going forward, those traits are going to become the norm not the exception. I believe every graduate in the future will need to know how to program.
What soft skills should all Clinical Research Specialists possess?
Dr. Ionut Florescu: I believe in terms of soft skills, every graduate should be able to explain the results of their complex models to someone who isn't technically sound. So, presentation skills are extremely important. Then the capability of approaching a presenter at a conference or workshop and ask pertinent questions about what they just presented is really important. We require all our students to not only make presentations but also ask questions during other teams' presentations. I believe the most important thing as a teacher in the course is to criticize them when their presentation is not crisp or when the question isn't clear or appropriate.
How have salaries changed over time for Clinical Research Specialists?
Dr. Ionut Florescu: Our programs are producing graduates who work in the financial services industry, and our salaries are high compared to other domains. However, in 2019 the year before the pandemic, it was the first time when our graduates were attracted to the technology sector because the compensation was higher. It was also the first time when our Business School data science programs had a higher stating salary than the traditionally finance programs. Thus, I saw a shift in the skills, with statistics now being a required skill and not a "good to have" anymore. I do believe this trend will continue for at least a couple of years. The salaries will go up going forward. They did go down in 2020.
Rogelio Minana Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Head of Global Studies and Modern LanguagesDrexel University
Office of Global Engagement
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Clinical Research Specialists?
Rogelio Minana Ph.D.: It is still unclear the concrete impacts of the pandemic on jobs (working remotely vs on site, and the like), but it is clear that technology, adaptability, and a sense of how the global affects the local and vice versa are indispensable features in today's professional and civic life. Higher education institutions must focus on these skills in order to prepare students beyond disciplinary knowledge, as careers prove more fluid than ever before and the world as a whole becomes even more connected.
What's a good job out of college for Clinical Research Specialists?
Rogelio Minana Ph.D.: In today's global world, a good job out of college is one that enables a young graduate to explore a variety of career paths. The jobs of the future will require imagination, creativity, adaptability, and in many cases the ability to move one's career in different directions by means of interdisciplinarity and intercultural competency. Careers are living entities in today's market, and a job that allows a recent graduate to explore and not feel constrained to just one discipline or task will best prepare them to thrive as they become lifelong learners.
What will help Clinical Research Specialists increase their earning potential?
Rogelio Minana Ph.D.: In any field, having broad global qualifications, from experience studying and living abroad to language skills and the ability to work as part of international teams, provides a clear edge. Data indicates that international/global experience leads to higher graduation rates and higher GPA in college, as well as to higher earnings and higher change of promotion to decision-making positions after graduation. Developing intercultural competency and proactively seeking and appreciating diversity, both domestic and international, are critical not only for a healthy job market but also for a fairer society.
Sharon Deem DVM, PhD
Director of Saint Louis zoo institute for Conservation Medicine, Adjunct professor at WUSTLWashington University in St Louis
Institute for Conservation Medicine
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Research Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Sharon Deem DVM, PhD: I teach a course called One Health: Linking the Health of Humans, Animals, and Environments. I teach to both undergraduate and graduate students. One Health is a growing movement that takes a transdisciplinary approach and is based on the understanding that the health of human and non-human animals, plants, and the environments that sustain all life are interconnected. We will not have health of one without ensuring health of the others. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call of this interconnection of health and to the many human public health, including zoonotic infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, and wildlife conservation challenges, such as those related to the unsustainable trade in wildlife. A wakeup call that has made many aware of the need for a One Health approach and for finding a new normal post-pandemic world that will help ensure we prevent the next pandemic.
The outlook for recent graduates that are interested in the One Health approach and for addressing these health challenges for humans, animals, and environments-the One Health Triad-will increase in the coming years. I believe career opportunities that strive for preventive measures that lessen the negative impacts of climate change, emerging infectious diseases, and the loss of biodiversity will increase greatly in the coming months and years. These career opportunities may be in the environmental, veterinary, and human health sciences. They may also be in other disciplines, from communication and art to IT, engineering, law, and political science. The job market will open with positions we may only dream of today, but also with those familiar jobs that help optimize the health of animals, humans, and environments.
Dr. DeQuan Smith
Assistant Director, Graduate Education & Career ConnectionsMorehouse School of Medicine
Division of Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences
What soft skills should all Clinical Research Specialists possess?
Dr. DeQuan Smith: Adaptability, collaboration, learning agility, emotional intelligence, creativity, interpersonal communication, growth mindset, focus mastery, and innovation.
Daniel Patten Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorMcMurry University
Department of Sociology and Criminology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Clinical Research Specialists?
Daniel Patten Ph.D.: I think it is safe to say yes. The tougher question is what those impacts are likely to be. Some of those impacts can already be seen. According to some recent research, COVID has impacted students very differently, usually split down lines of social class. For example, many students have delayed graduation with the poorest students most likely to do so. Other impacts have been the loss of a job, internship, or job offer after graduation. All of these will likely have lasting impacts for the future. Most prominently, many graduates can expect lower earnings for longer parts of their career than past generations. Unfortunately, this effect will be more pronounced for students coming from low-income families. One reason for this among many is a lack of social networking opportunities. College can be a time where low-income students expand their social capital by building relationships with others of different social backgrounds. The COVID world is even more segregated than before despite technological systems designed to keep us connected.
All of these impacts say nothing about health-related impacts. Of course, little is known about the long-term health complications associated with COVID. Yet, medical bills may linger alongside college debt for many students. College is also a time for heightened anxiety without COVID where mental illness tends to manifest. COVID can only serve to exacerbate such an issue. Many of these issues could be alleviated to some degree depending on our societal response to these problems. However, at this time, many students are finding little succor for major problems.
Lastly, it is hard to say what the impacts of limiting social life will be. Many students will have to go without entirely or experience quite different alternatives to many traditional social gatherings. It is often in these spaces and through these experiences we gain informal skills that employers seek such as oral communication skills, especially those that are more impromptu.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Research Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Katina Lillios: Anthropologists are trained in critical thinking and in developing solutions to the challenges that we face in our global community. Because of their distinctive skills in critical thinking and in analyzing problems that engage with cultural differences, graduates with anthropology degrees are found in a wide range of job settings, from educational institutions, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations, particularly those involving cross-cultural markets and goods. Most students graduating with a BA or BS in Anthropology do not go into academia. The pandemic has created significant budget challenges in all these settings, however. Given that, there with likely be a bottleneck in new positions for a few years, and college graduates will need to be patient, resourceful, and flexible. They should seek or create opportunities to keep up their skills, perhaps even in settings they did not imagine working in, and maintain connections with the communities they hope to work with and in. In academic institutions, there will likely be an increasing shift to online delivery of courses, so aspiring instructors (students graduating with an MA or PhD) might want to think about developing the skills and content for some online courses they hope to teach.
Ryan Barker
Visiting InstructorState University of New York at Oswego
Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Promotion and Wellness
What Clinical Research Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ryan Barker: Gap years are great for experience, do your best to find a job on the ground in your local area but keep mastering things like Zoom or Webex and other telecommunication services. Take the time to set up a designated site in your apartment or home and be prepared to use it because foriegn firms want American talent to strength their presence in the American and global market.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Research Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Melanie Long Ph.D.: Of course, the biggest question at the moment is how quickly the job market will recover, especially in industries that experienced the largest declines due to the pandemic such as hospitality and travel. Once the public health crisis has been addressed and demand does recover, some industries may see a surge in applications from recent graduates and others whose career trajectories were on pause during the pandemic.
For example, we have been discussing this possibility in the job market for economics professors. Some observers have noted that PhD candidates may delay their search for academic posts by a year due to the sharp decline in hiring this year. As a result, even if the number of academic posts increases to normal levels next year, the number of applicants may increase as well, heightening competition for the available jobs.
I would also expect that some employers will consider making telecommuting a permanent option moving forward. Many companies found themselves forced to have employees work remotely due to the pandemic, despite any concerns about potential drawbacks. This situation created an experiment of sorts for companies, and those satisfied with the results in terms of productivity and other outcomes may look to adopt telework in the long term. Moreover, some employees are likely to appreciate more options to work from home as a way to avoid long commutes or high housing prices in metropolitan areas with strong labor markets.
Finally, the pandemic has shed light on the challenges faced by families and individuals trying to balance work with childcare. These challenges have been particularly acute for women, who continue to spend more time on care of dependents than men. Time spent on childcare increased dramatically as schools and childcare services shut down. The result has been that women have dropped out of the labor force at a far greater rate than men during the pandemic. Moving forward, the heightened visibility of these challenges for women may prompt employers to consider greater scheduling flexibility or other policies that make it easier to balance family obligations with work.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Research Specialist?
Ben Brown: There are a lot of good jobs out there, and people are hiring. The job market just looks a little different because most of it is virtual. This may mean that the applicant has to source out employers instead of the employers coming to the student in the form of career fairs.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Clinical Research Specialists to find work opportunities?
Shelly Wells Ph.D.: Nurses continue to be in high demand throughout the nation. While new graduate nurses may not be able to find their dream "no weekends, day shift position in their favorite specialty" right out of school, there are opportunities abound for the new nurse to build their skills to prepare for that dream position. The demand for nurses in community-based agencies is increasing. Nurses who have completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree find expanded leadership opportunities, public health, and non-traditional nursing positions. One does not have to live in or near a large city to find a chance to work as a registered nurse as there are countless positions in rural America waiting for the right graduate nurses.
How do you envision technology impacting Clinical Research Specialists in the next 5 years?
Shelly Wells Ph.D.: As technology continues to evolve and change healthcare, there will always be a role for nurses. Technology will continue to provide ways to diagnose and treat many more conditions with less invasiveness and lost time. Technology will be used to improve communication between the patient and healthcare providers as telehealth grows. New robotic surgery techniques will allow patients to recover quicker than more invasive procedures. Electronic platforms for storing health care information will improve from the current time-intensive frameworks. As the improvements continue to emerge, there will be no replacement for the problem-solving and patient-teaching skills that the registered nurse brings to the health care arena.