Clinical Research Coordinators earn a median of $167,220 per year ($80.39/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 8.2% through 2035, with about 9,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 11-9121
- Management
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Clinical Research Coordinator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $167,220a year, or $80.39/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $80KTop 10% $317K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +8.2%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+8.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +8.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9,200112,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025112.2K
- Projected 2035121.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 112.2K Projected 2035 121.5K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school7%
- Certificate11.6%
- Some college9.2%
- Associate's5.9%
- Bachelor's60.1%
- Master's4.8%
Highest education held by clinical research coordinators Segment Value High school 7% Certificate 11.6% Some college 9.2% Associate's 5.9% Bachelor's 60.1% Master's 4.8%
Also advertised as: Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Program Coordinator, Clinical Program Manager, Clinical Research Administrator, Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Manager.
Pay
How much do Clinical Research Coordinators make?
Every clinical research coordinator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$167,220
Middle half earn $119,430 to $221,540
- 10th
- $79,710
- 25th
- $119,430
- 75th
- $221,540
- 90th
- $316,850
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $79,710 |
| 25th | $119,430 |
| Median | $167,220 |
| 75th | $221,540 |
| 90th | $316,850 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $167,220
- Median hourly wage
- $80.39/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $180,250
- People employed
- 108,690
Versus all US occupations
At $167,220, Clinical Research Coordinators earn 228% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $116,240 a year.
Versus management occupations
Inside the Management group, where the middle occupation pays $126,060, this is 33% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $316,850 or more while the bottom 10% earn $79,710, a gap of 4.0×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 95% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Massachusetts pays the most at $267,290, and still leads at $252,740 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Clinical Research Coordinators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Massachusetts | $267,290 | $252,740 | 10,590 |
| 2Connecticut | $210,670 | $203,330 | 1,190 |
| 3California | $210,230 | $189,875 | 14,950 |
| 4New Jersey | $207,030 | $190,276 | 10,040 |
| 5Washington | $182,480 | $170,521 | 2,490 |
| 6North Carolina | $173,870 | $184,329 | 6,010 |
| 7Maryland | $168,620 | $160,653 | 4,820 |
| 8Illinois | $159,670 | $159,737 | 2,810 |
| 9District of Columbia | $156,730 | $142,610 | 1,540 |
| 10Kansas | $153,820 | $170,782 | 240 |
Job outlook
Is Clinical Research Coordinator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +8.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | +8.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Clinical Research Coordinators to change 8.2% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.3× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 9,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,200 openings are projected each year, 8.2% of the 112,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment growth should be affected by many of the same factors that affect employment growth for the scientists whom these managers supervise. For example, when organizations hire more hydrologists for water conservation, they also may need to hire more natural sciences managers to oversee them.
Getting in
How to become a Clinical Research Coordinator
Natural sciences managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or related field. Most work as scientists before becoming managers.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as clinical research coordinators.
- Bachelor's Degree60.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate11.6%
- Some College Courses9.2%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 60.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.6% |
| Some College Courses | 9.2% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 5.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Clinical Research Coordinator do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.
Natural sciences managers plan, supervise, or coordinate activities in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics. They direct work related to research and development and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Day-to-day tasks
- Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented.
- Identify protocol problems, inform investigators of problems, or assist in problem resolution efforts, such as protocol revisions.
- Monitor study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional polices.
- Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses.
- Inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected.
- Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms.
- Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies.
- Organize space for study equipment and supplies.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most natural sciences managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They also may need to work evenings or weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where clinical research coordinators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences38%
- Federal government, excluding postal service11%
- Manufacturing8%
- Healthcare and social assistance7%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 38% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 11% |
| Manufacturing | 8% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 7% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking3.9
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Monitoring3.6
- Active Learning3.4
- Learning Strategies3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.9
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Time Management3.5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.5
- Instructing3.1
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.5 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.5 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Categorization or classification software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Clinical Research Coordinator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Clinical Research Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Investigative5.9
- Conventional4.8
- Enterprising4.3
- Social3.6
- Artistic1.8
- Realistic1.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Clinical Research Coordinator
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Educational Instruction and Library
Health Specialties Teacher, Postsecondary
$107,310median a year
Most earn $59K to $322K
+17.9%Doctorate - Management
More management careers
Median annual pay, with clinical research coordinators highlighted
- IT Manager$175,140
- Clinical Research Coordinator$167,220
- Marketing Manager$166,790
- Financial Manager$166,570
- Human Resources Manager$149,280
- Sales Manager$148,270
- Construction Manager$114,990
- Supply Chain Manager$107,230
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager$69,990
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $175,140 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | $167,220 |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $107,230 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager | $69,990 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Clinical Research Coordinator appears on
Questions
Clinical Research Coordinator: frequently asked questions
How much do Clinical Research Coordinators make?
Clinical Research Coordinators earn a median of $167,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 228% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $80.39/hr. The middle half earn between $119,430 and $221,540. The top 10% earn $316,850 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Clinical Research Coordinator?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Clinical Research Coordinators, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 60.1% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Clinical Research Coordinator a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.2% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 9,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Clinical Research Coordinator do?
Natural sciences managers plan, supervise, or coordinate activities in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics. A core O*NET task: oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Clinical Research Coordinators the most?
The highest state medians for Clinical Research Coordinators are Massachusetts ($267,290), Connecticut ($210,670), California ($210,230) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Clinical Research Coordinator?
O*NET scores Clinical Research Coordinators highest on the Investigative, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ENTJ, INTJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.