Side-by-side distribution
Biotech Research
$95,370
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 36.7%
- Live roles
- 1,610
Clinical Research
$71,850
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 37.4%
- Live roles
- 1,009
Highest-paying jobs
Clinical Research Associate
Principal Scientist / Associate Director, Agentic AI Research for Materials Science
Associate VP for Research Computing
Associate Principal, Patient-Centered Research
Associate Dean for Research, College of Health and Human Services
Associate Director, Health Economics & Outcomes Research, Solid Tumors
Health Economics & Outcomes Research Associate Director, Pain
Global Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) Associate Director (HYBRID)
Client Investment Research Associate
Quantitative Research Associate - Systematic Portfolio Construction
Highest-paying jobs
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical AI Researcher
Client Relationship Associate Director, Connected Devices PM (Clinical Research)
Associate Clinical Research Director
Associate Principal Scientist, Clinical Research
Associate Principal Scientist, Clinical Research
RN - Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator - MGH
Senior Clinical Research Associate (Remote - Field Based)
Senior Clinical Research Associate, Sponsor Dedicated
Clinical Research Associate, Sponsor Dedicated, Oncology
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
The University of Texas at Austin
|
$46,577 | 40 |
| WC Worldwide Clinical Trials | $145,000 | 31 |
ICON plc
|
$124,335 | 28 |
| NU Northeastern University | $72,754 | 28 |
|
IQVIA
|
$129,350 | 26 |
USC
|
$70,699 | 24 |
| BN Brookhaven National Laboratory | $82,950 | 16 |
Abbott
|
$94,950 | 11 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania
|
$50,366 | 40 |
Washington University in St. Louis
|
$68,250 | 38 |
| WC Worldwide Clinical Trials | $145,000 | 31 |
|
IQVIA
|
$127,500 | 31 |
|
ICON plc
|
$124,335 | 28 |
| MG Mass General Brigham | $52,010 | 28 |
University of Chicago
|
$67,500 | 18 |
| BI Beth Israel Lahey Health | $50,066 | 13 |
Biotech Research salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $130,450 | 81 |
| San Francisco | $124,600 | 26 |
| Seattle | $124,335 | 9 |
| Chicago | $124,335 | 11 |
| Denver | $124,335 | 9 |
| London | $89,981 | 5 |
| Los Angeles | $78,750 | 36 |
| Toronto | $76,731 | 7 |
| Boston | $72,754 | 48 |
| Austin | $40,500 | 12 |
Clinical Research salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $183,250 | 5 |
| New York | $124,335 | 13 |
| Los Angeles | $124,335 | 6 |
| Denver | $124,335 | 7 |
| Seattle | $113,544 | 4 |
| Chicago | $67,500 | 23 |
| Boston | $52,010 | 29 |
| Austin | $40,000 | 3 |
Biotech Research vs Clinical Research: which pays more?
The median for Biotech Research is $95,370 per year (typically $71,375–$129,074), versus $71,850 for Clinical Research ($59,670–$110,300). That puts Biotech Research about 33% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so Biotech Research and Clinical Research are compared on equal terms regardless of the currency each role was originally posted in. Only roles that publish a salary range feed the medians; numbers refresh every few hours as new roles post and older ones close, so this comparison reflects the market right now rather than a fixed survey. Use it as a directional benchmark when weighing one path against the other.