Clinical Research Coordinator Salary in 2026
Clinical research coordinators manage clinical trials, enrolling participants, collecting data, and ensuring protocol compliance. They coordinate between sponsors, investigators, and regulatory bodies.
Median Salary
$57,000
$4,750/mo
Entry Level
$42,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$72,000
experienced
Job Growth
+12%
10-yr outlook
Clinical Research Coordinator Overview
Clinical research coordinators manage clinical trials, enrolling participants, collecting data, and ensuring protocol compliance. They coordinate between sponsors, investigators, and regulatory bodies.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
80K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$27.40/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,750
Clinical Research Coordinator Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Clinical Research Coordinator salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Clinical Research Coordinator Salary
$62,000
$5,167/month · $2,385/biweekly · $29.81/hr
Clinical Research Coordinator Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Clinical Research Coordinator field.
Entry-level Clinical Research Coordinators earn around $42,000, while the top 10% earn $79,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Clinical Research Coordinators
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $67,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $66,000 | +$9,000 |
| Massachusetts | $64,000 | +$7,000 |
| Maryland | $62,000 | +$5,000 |
| Texas | $56,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Clinical Research Coordinators
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $71,000 | +$14,000 |
| Bethesda | $67,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $67,000 | +$10,000 |
| Boston | $64,000 | +$7,000 |
| Houston | $56,000 | $-1,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Clinical Research Coordinator Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Clinical Research Coordinator from entry level to expert.
$42,000
0-2 years
$57,000
3-7 years
$72,000
8-14 years
$86,000
15+ years
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Clinical Research Coordinator Salary FAQ
How much does a Clinical Research Coordinator make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Clinical Research Coordinator in the United States is $57,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $42,000, while senior professionals earn up to $72,000. Top earners in the field can make $86,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Clinical Research Coordinator?
A Clinical Research Coordinator typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Protocol Management, IRB Submissions, Patient Recruitment. Relevant certifications such as CCRC or ACRP Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Clinical Research Coordinators?
The job market for Clinical Research Coordinators is projected to grow by 12% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 80K Clinical Research Coordinator positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 11%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Clinical Research Coordinators the most?
The highest-paying states for Clinical Research Coordinators include Massachusetts, California, Maryland. In Massachusetts, the median salary is approximately $64,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Clinical Research Coordinator salary?
To increase your Clinical Research Coordinator salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Protocol Management and IRB Submissions. Pursue certifications such as CCRC. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Boston. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $42,000 to $72,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Clinical Research Coordinator Salary
How we calculate Clinical Research Coordinator salary data: Clinical Research Coordinator has no defensible BLS occupation crosswalk, so the national median, tiers, state and city figures on this page are Salario estimates built from public wage references and job-posting data, not BLS survey values.
- National median salary: $57,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($42,000) and senior-level ($72,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +12% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 80K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 11% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $57,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Clinical Research Coordinator compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Clinical Research Coordinator job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Clinical Research Coordinator salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Protocol Management, IRB Submissions, Patient Recruitment), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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