Here's What You Need to Know to Get a Clinical Research Associate Job

What's the pay for a Clinical Research Associate?: $61-$110K

What's the pay for a Clinical Research Associate?: $61-$110K
A Clinical Research Associate (or Monitor) is hired either in-house (“the trial site”) or externally (by the sponsor or CRO) to review clinical trial data and ensure that investigational therapies are tested ethically and scientifically through performing site visits that review files like patient medical notes in order to ensure quality of trial data. The catch 22 of clinical research associate jobs is that the ICH GCP guidelines require both education AND experience in order to work in this role, so getting your foot in the door is tough. Once you get experience, your education (i.e., certifications or degrees showing understanding of additional responsibilities) can help promotes you quickly through the CRA career ladder. For those looking to understand more about these guidelines, the ICH-GCP course might be a crucial step.

How to become or get promoted as a clinical research associate?

Having a certification through CCRPS’s accredited Advanced Clinical Research Associate Certification (CRA) course can help professionals 1) get promoted 2) get a raise 3) improve efficiency 4) get hired as a Clinical Research Associate. Additionally, those interested in broader roles in clinical research may consider the Clinical Research Coordinator course, the Pharmacovigilance Certification, or the Clinical Trials Assistant Training.

How much does a Clinical Research Associate make in the United States?

The average Clinical Research Associate salary in the United States is $61-110K. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. For those looking at a leadership role, the Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification or the Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification could be relevant. Furthermore, the Medical Monitor Certification can enhance skills for those specifically interested in medical monitoring aspects.

Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Salary

Per Payscale “An entry-level Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $55,588 based on 203 salaries. An early career Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $66,245 based on 1,118 salaries. A mid-career Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $76,086 based on 294 salaries. An experienced Clinical Research Associate (CRA) with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $81,540 based on 157 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $83,342.”

Determine CRA Salary by location using Payscale

Salary: Clinical Research Associate

Research Associate Salary resource: Click here to see the CRA Salary Range from 1,800+ employers

Clinical Research Associates Pay: Clinical Research Associate Salary in United States (by city)

1. Durham, NC - $97K

2. New York, NY, Irvine, CA, Houston, TX - $95K

3. Philadelphia, PA - $92K

4. Atlanta, GA - $84K

5. Raleigh, NC - $82K

6. Chicago, IL - $79K

Senior Clinical Research Associate Salary

The average salary of a Senior Senior Clinical Research Associate is ~105K per year ($54/hour, $2k/week, $9k/month). This can range from $81k to $139k.

Starting Salary of a Clinical Research Associate Position is between $60,000 and $65,000

Some employers may prefer hiring entry-level clinical research associates with less experience in clinical research so they can learn their job functions by training under Senior CRAs or CRA IIs.

Clinical Research Associate II Salary is $86,677 / yr

CRA II @ PPD: $84,733/yr

CRA II @ PRA Health Sciences: $96,017/yr

CRA II @ IQVIA: $79,412/yr

CRA II @ ICON: $100,000/yr

Comment below how much you get paid and what helped you get promoted!

Having a certification through CCRPS’s accredited Advanced Clinical Research Associate Certification course can help professionals 1) get promoted 2) get a raise 3) improve efficiency 4) get hired as a Clinical Research Associate.