Post job

What is a clinical statistical programmer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Ao Yuan

Clinical statistical programmers oversee various statistical programming personnel and analyze data sets according to their employer's or client's needs. They perform data integration for reports following clinical research and use SAS programming to create and analyze data sets during clinical trials. They also assist quality control and audit of all statistical programming deliverables and earn a median sum of $37 per hour, which amounts to $77,000 per year.

Clinical statistical programmers import and export raw data and manage and maintain databases containing large quantities of information. They design and write programs to create various data sets while analyzing data and statistics to find market trends and locate other relevant business information. They also create daily operations reports that present relevant data to all levels of management. Due to the numerous duties they perform, they need to have solid troubleshooting and analytical skills.

Clinical statistical programmers mostly hold a bachelor's degree in computer programming, statistics, mathematics, or other related fields. They are expected to have significant knowledge of biostatistics and proficiency in computer software programs and SAS software in particular.

What general advice would you give to a clinical statistical programmer?

Ao Yuan

Professor, Georgetown University

For a career in Biostatistics, getting a position in a pharmaceutical company/industry will have a higher salary than working in an academic institution. If you can get a higher management position, your salary can be maximized.
ScoreClinical Statistical ProgrammerUS Average
Salary
6.6

Avg. Salary $83,894

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.1

Growth rate -7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 25.38%

Black or African American 4.11%

Hispanic or Latino 7.24%

Unknown 4.41%

White 58.68%

Gender

female 33.01%

male 66.99%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress level
5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Clinical statistical programmer career paths

Key steps to become a clinical statistical programmer

  1. Explore clinical statistical programmer education requirements

    Most common clinical statistical programmer degrees

    Bachelor's

    59.0 %

    Master's

    31.2 %

    Doctorate

    4.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific clinical statistical programmer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Macro18.72%
    Data Management7.72%
    Adam7.41%
    Efficacy5.85%
    SAS Programs4.20%
  3. Complete relevant clinical statistical programmer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical statistical programmers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical statistical programmer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical statistical programmer resumes.
  4. Research clinical statistical programmer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage clinical trial validation studies and QC for NDA submission.
    • Manage the system test for the installation of large IBM mainframe COBOL, CICS, IMS software package.
    • Lead statistical analysis and programming for data service projects for clinical trials to submit for FDA approval, for various clients.
    • Develop different VBA macro tools to automate reporting and assure information accuracy, overlapping avoidance and management control.
  5. Prepare your clinical statistical programmer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical statistical programmer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical statistical programmer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable clinical statistical programmer resume templates

    Build a professional clinical statistical programmer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical statistical programmer resume.
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
    Clinical Statistical Programmer Resume
  6. Apply for clinical statistical programmer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a clinical statistical programmer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first clinical statistical programmer job

Zippi

Are you a clinical statistical programmer?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average clinical statistical programmer salary

The average clinical statistical programmer salary in the United States is $83,894 per year or $40 per hour. Clinical statistical programmer salaries range between $59,000 and $117,000 per year.

Average clinical statistical programmer salary
$83,894 Yearly
$40.33 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do clinical statistical programmers rate their job?

Working as a clinical statistical programmer? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs