Clinical Research Associate Salary in Biotech & Pharma 2026
Based on biohired's September 21, 2026 analysis of 131 disclosed US Clinical Research Associate roles in biotech and pharma, the middle 50% earn $108,750 to $124,335 annually, with a median of $123,250.
Updated daily · Last refreshed September 21, 2026
Clinical Research Associate salary by seniority (US, USD)
| Level | Range | Middle 50% | n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $102,753 – $115,762 | 44 | |
| Mid | $109,250 – $123,250 | 47 | |
| Senior | $124,335 – $147,500 | 39 |
Top-paying companies for Clinical Research Associate (US, USD)
| Company | Range | Middle 50% | n |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,168 – $174,306 | 2 | ||
| $155,000 – $155,000 | 7 | ||
| $140,192 – $140,192 | 5 | ||
| $123,800 – $166,050 | 11 | ||
| $109,000 – $123,250 | 46 | ||
| $115,762 – $115,762 | 3 | ||
| $102,753 – $124,335 | 51 | ||
| $100,000 – $100,000 | 2 |
Clinical Research Associate salary by country (local currency)
| Country | Range | Middle 50% | n |
|---|---|---|---|
United States (USD)
|
$108,750 – $124,335 | 131 | |
Italy (EUR)
|
€32,500 – €43,000 | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
What's the average Clinical Research Associate salary in biotech and pharma?
Based on biohired's September 21, 2026 analysis of 131 disclosed US Clinical Research Associate roles, the middle 50% earn $108,750 to $124,335 annually. The median is $123,250.
How much do top-earning Clinical Research Associates make in biotech?
The top 10% of Clinical Research Associate roles in biotech and pharma pay $155,000 or more annually (90th percentile of disclosed US salaries).
Which biotech companies pay Clinical Research Associates the most?
Among the disclosed Clinical Research Associate salaries currently tracked by biohired, the top-paying biotech and pharma employers include Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., AbbVie.
How is this data calculated?
Each row shows the 25th-75th percentile range (middle 50%) and median of the salary midpoints (min+max)/2 across all disclosed Clinical Research Associate roles. Hourly listings are excluded. Time window: last 12 months of postings. Methodology mirrors industry standards used by Levels.fyi and Built In.