Clinical Research Associate salary
The median clinical research associate pay is $63.77 per hour, or about $132,642 a year, based on 17 postings with published pay from 4 employers. Collected October 15, 2026.
- 17roles with published pay
- $63.77median pay per hour
- $43–$84typical published range
- 4employers hiring
Pay percentiles, per hour and per year
| Level | Per hour | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52.34 | $108,876 |
| 25th percentile | $59.52 | $123,802 |
| Median | $63.77 | $132,642 |
| 75th percentile | $63.77 | $132,642 |
| 90th percentile | $68.08 | $141,606 |
Clinical Research Associate pay by state
| State | Postings | Median / hour | Median / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 3 | $67.36 | $140,109 |
| North Carolina | 7 | $63.77 | $132,642 |
Who pays what
| Employer | Postings | Median / hour | Median / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| IQVIA | 13 | $63.77 | $132,642 |
| Merck | 2 | $59.52 | $123,802 |
| Seattle Children's | 1 | $44.10 | $91,728 |
| Mass General Brigham | 1 | $31.85 | $66,248 |
What moves your pay
- Experience and credentials: certifications and years in the specialty usually move you up the published range.
- Shift: nights, weekends and holidays often add a differential on top of the base range.
- Setting: academic centers, trauma hospitals and large systems often publish higher ranges than community sites.
- Location: pay follows local cost of living and demand, so compare cities, not only states.
Method
Figures are the midpoints of pay ranges that employers published in 17 postings from 4 employers, collected October 15, 2026. They are not survey estimates and do not include overtime or bonuses.
Common questions
How much does a clinical research associate make?
The median clinical research associate pay across 17 postings with published pay is $63.77 per hour, about $132,642 a year. Half of the postings fall between $60 and $64 per hour.
Which states pay clinical research associates the most?
Among states with at least 3 postings, the highest medians are Kansas ($67.36/hr), North Carolina ($63.77/hr).
What do clinical research associates get paid at other employers in the US?
- IQVIADurham, NC$63.77/hr
- IQVIAOverland Park, KS$67.36/hr
- IQVIACarlsbad, CA$63.77/hr
See all employers by name, how pay is moving and the roles that pay more.
Get the free pay reportFree for candidates · email onlyWhat do other employers pay clinical research associates near you?
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
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110+ Clinical Research Associate roles in North Carolina, sent free by email
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Your CRA pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your North Carolina list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- IQVIADurham, NC · 7 postings$63.77/ hr$42–$95
- IQVIAOverland Park, KS · 3 postings$67.36/ hr$42–$95
- IQVIACarlsbad, CA · 2 postings$63.77/ hr$43–$84
- MerckRahway, NJ · 2 postings$59.52/ hr$46–$73
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your North Carolina list
2What they are offering now
7 CRA postings with published pay in North Carolina, 6 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 7 CRA roles
- (Senior) Clinical Research AssociatePermanent$90k–$175k/ year
- (Senior) Clinical Research AssociatePermanent$90k–$175k/ year
+ 5 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.