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Job outlook for senior clinical research scientists in the United States
Senior clinical research scientist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior clinical research scientist job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 4,600 new jobs for senior clinical research scientists are projected over the next decade.
Senior clinical research scientist salaries have increased 15% for senior clinical research scientists in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,827 senior clinical research scientists currently employed in the United States.
There are 128,555 active senior clinical research scientist job openings in the US.
The average senior clinical research scientist salary is $103,836.
Are senior clinical research scientist jobs in demand?
Senior clinical research scientist job and salary trends over time
Senior clinical research scientist jobs over time
Senior clinical research scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,827 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,964 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,248 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,575 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,199 | 0.00% |
Average senior clinical research scientist salary over time
Senior clinical research scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $103,836 | $49.92 | +6.8% |
| 2025 | $97,181 | $46.72 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $93,237 | $44.83 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $89,556 | $43.06 | --0.7% |
| 2022 | $90,218 | $43.37 | --0.3% |
Senior clinical research scientist jobs by state
Most common states for senior clinical research scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 276 | 40% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,910 | 32% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 285 | 30% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 184 | 30% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 304 | 29% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,183 | 26% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,067 | 26% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,330 | 24% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 207 | 24% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 181 | 24% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 830 | 23% |
| 12 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 302 | 23% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,999 | 22% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,202 | 22% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 292 | 22% |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,416 | 21% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 216 | 21% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 631 | 20% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 3,710 | 19% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,490 | 19% |
Most common cities for senior clinical research scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buena Park | 1 | 1% | $122,440 |
| 2 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $121,495 |
Senior Clinical Research Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior clinical research scientist experts
Washburn University of Topeka
Pepperdine University
University of Dallas
University of San Diego
Georgetown University
Santa Fe College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Washington State University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Western Washington University
Quinnipiac University
Meredith College
University of Minnesota Medical School
North Carolina State University
Bradley University
Susan Bjerke
Associate Professor of BiologyWashburn University of Topeka
Biological And Physical Sciences
What will help Senior Clinical Research Scientists increase their earning potential?
Susan Bjerke: Some of the skills that will be important in the next 3-5 years will be general critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt to changing technology. Almost all science fields are increasingly dependent on technology, so being able to learn new skills and change the way you do things in your job will be important. Being an effective communicator, both in writing and orally, is an overlooked skill in the sciences and is always an important asset.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Rachel Tan Ph.D.: I do not have an answer for this. My response would be to be proactive during undergraduate studies, to discern where you find joy and curiosity. Pursue that topic. I do not think that the salary should be the priority when considering careers.
What Senior Clinical Research Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachel Tan Ph.D.: The scientific method: to be able to find, read, interpret, understand, and implement research. Not only would this enhance personal skills and critical thinking, it could contribute to techniques and methods that could be performed; it could foster questions that would be important in advancing the field; and could set apart an individual.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Dr. Prajay Patel Ph.D.: Know your worth when negotiating your salary/contract, and know competitive rates from similar positions being marketed.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Dr. Michael Marchetti: I think it is hard to know how to maximize one's salary potential at the outset, other than being a good team player and having the skills and personality to 'fill in' and pivot as needed by an employer. With scientists, the interest in the scientific questions/problems/goals often times drive the practitioners in the discipline rather than a huge 'paycheck touchdown' type approach.
What will help Senior Clinical Research Scientists increase their earning potential?
Meghan McGee-Lawrence Ph.D.: Cast a wide net! A huge variety of career paths can be pursued with a degree like this, including industry, academic research, healthcare, education, and more. It is a very versatile degree, and can be a foundation for a multitude of different professions. Talk to recent graduates from your program (as many as possible!) and see what they did with their degree – the more information you can collect, the better prepared you’ll be to seek out opportunities yourself. Take the time to figure out where your interests lie – and understand that you may have to try a few different paths out before you find the right one for you. The first position you land after graduation doesn’t have to be the job you perform for the next 30 years of your life – so use each opportunity as a learning experience to figure out what you’d really like to do long-term.
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH
Assistant ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH: Find a purpose and a meaning in their work and be open to learning from interdisciplinary fields.
What Senior Clinical Research Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ivica Labuda PhD: Certainly everyone in the biotech field would benefit from having knowledge of biotechnology techniques and skills in concert with understanding the regulatory framework. That provides a good foundation so that one can interact confidently in every aspect of the biotech world. With AI progress, the next step is to add the basic understanding of the speed at which we can evolve new techniques and materials. Not everybody needs to code, but everyone needs to think about how to maximize its benefits for biotechnology.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Kristopher Koudelka Ph.D.: There are two skillsets, and one field I see become more important. The first skillset is application of material. You must know the language of your field; however, most content can be quickly found through simple research. People who can apply this knowledge, and formulate the new questions are more valuable employees. The second skill set is troubleshooting. Very often experiments fail or give strange results, how one can glean as much information as possible from the experiment and then plan the next course of action is a huge asset. The field I see becoming more important is computer programming. Very often these fields deal with large datasets that are so big, complex, or repetitive that computer assistance isn’t just helpful… but mandatory.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Jeff Heslep: Find a starting job that gives you a wide range of work to perform. The more experience you can gain during the first few years will help you to hone your skills, decide what areas interest you the most, and give you the opportunity to choose. Learn as much as you can about the various equipment, analytical techniques, processes, and how to troubleshoot minor problems. Take the initiative and ask to learn how to use instruments you aren't familiar with. It is unlikely someone will deny you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge. Take every chance you have to network and get to know the people within your local biotechnology industry. Networking plays a major role in employment opportunities. Work on your written and verbal communication skills. Communicating well will help you stand out. Being able to effectively convey complex scientific concepts in such a way that anyone can understand it can be a powerful skill.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Jacob Nordman: Salary potential in my field of neuroscience almost always involves publications, awards, and technical acumen. Therefore, as I mentioned, it is important to start early looking for opportunities that can strengthen these areas. Another important aspect of getting high-profile, and thus high-paying, positions, is being able to tell a story with your research and career. Employers want to see that you have thought deeply and strategically about your career and where it’s going. This will allow them to believe you are a safe bet and worthy of their investment.
What will help Senior Clinical Research Scientists increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
What will help Senior Clinical Research Scientists increase their earning potential?
Arjumand Ghazi Ph. D: Having an advanced degree such as a PhD and even a few years postdoc is a good way to start at a higher level. It often allows one to make up for the reduced earnings during the training periods while increasing long-term earnings.
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.
InstructorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What general advice would you give to a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.: Apply for the positions you want, even if you feel underqualified. I know plenty of people who have applied for jobs they didn't quite meet the requirements for, and got hired for other reasons. In my experience, many recent graduates choose to take time to strengthen their resumes by retaking classes, working jobs they don't particularly want to get experience, etc. There is some value in that, particularly if you have been unsuccessful attaining the position you want, or if you want to see if you even enjoy that type of work. But if you are confident in what you want to do, go for it; in the worst-case scenario, you are in the same position you would be if you hadn't applied, but now you have experience applying and have potentially gained a contact in the field.
What Senior Clinical Research Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Josh Kaplan Ph.D.: Demonstrating a skill set that is unique, such as experience with a rare technical research approach, or demonstrating that you can save your employer money by utilizing free resources, can be used to negotiate a higher salary.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Senior Clinical Research Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree EngineeringMeredith College
Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geoscience
What skills will help Senior Clinical Research Scientists earn the most?
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.: Networking skills are probably crucial to earn more money, where you can land a competitive job, and to have options where you can choose a position. There are other things to look at other than just the salary. Benefits and work-life balance can help determine the big picture of whether the job position is one where a person "will earn the most." In this case, negotiation skills can come in handy, and Meredith College has offered opportunities for students to learn about these important skills.
Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz Ph.D.
Director, Office of Professional DevelopmentUniversity of Minnesota Medical School
Biomedical Graduate Research, Education & Training (BGREAT)
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Clinical Research Scientists?
Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz Ph.D.: COVID-19 has certainly impacted the landscape, but not all of the effects are negative. There is still a level of uncertainty about how exactly things will change, and some sectors that employ our graduates may be impacted more than others. However, on the whole the pandemic has demonstrated how important science and research are, and we expect this to be reflected in the job market. The unemployment rate of scientists has been low, and we expect this trend to continue.
What's a day at work look like for a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz Ph.D.: As the workforce continues to adapt to restrictions resulting from the pandemic, graduates can expect to find more workplaces discussing hybrid workdays, with a combination of in person and work from home activity. In some sectors, the pandemic has demonstrated that remote work can be a new normal. As graduates work across various sectors and in a variety of types of roles, each person's day will look different. However, flexibility and adaptability will continue to be key skills for success.
What technical skills for a Senior Clinical Research Scientist stand out to employers?
Sharolyn Kawakami-Schulz Ph.D.: Graduates who possess certain technical skills should be sure to demonstrate in their job documents how those skills meet the needs of an employer. However, more than any particular technical skill, graduates will need to demonstrate their ability to continue to learn and adapt. Communication skills - written, oral, and to various audiences - will continue to be key in their ability to succeed and do well in all sectors.
Erin Krupa Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorNorth Carolina State University
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
What experience really stands out on Senior Clinical Research Scientist resumes?
Erin Krupa Ph.D.: First, I am hopeful that employers are understanding of the changes in the educational landscape during the pandemic and the difficulty students have had in finding similar experiences to pre-pandemic times. In addition, what will make candidates stand out are the extra things they do to obtain new knowledge and skills. This can range from internships to tutoring and from volunteer work to obtaining additional certificates. It is even more impressive if graduates can connect these items on their resume to improving their disciplinary knowledge or personal growth in areas that will make them a strong employee and collaborative colleague.
What experience really stands out on Senior Clinical Research Scientist resumes?
Dr. Jose Lozano Ph.D.: Research and internships, and any activity that demonstrates that the individual is a team worker and can collaborate in interdisciplinary activities.