Side-by-side distribution
Clinical Research
$69,056
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 37.2%
- Live roles
- 1,110
Formulation Scientist
$139,450
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 60.9%
- Live roles
- 23
Highest-paying jobs
Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology (US)
Associate Medical Director, Clinical Research
Associate Medical Director, Clinical Research
Clinical AI Researcher
Client Relationship Associate Director, Connected Devices PM (Clinical Research)
Associate Clinical Research Director
Associate Director, Clinical Science & External Research(Neurovascular)
Clinical Research Clinician, Associate Director
Associate Principal Scientist, Clinical Research
Clinical Research Associate - Sponsor Dedicated
Highest-paying jobs
Principal Scientist, Oral Formulation Sciences
Principal Scientist - Formulation
Senior / Principal Scientist, Formulation and Drug Product Development
Principal Scientist, Formulation Development
Principal Scientist - Process & Formulation
Manager/Principal Scientist Research & Development - Polymer Formulation
Scientist, Process Development (Formulation)
Lead Scientist, Formulation
Scientist, mRNA Formulation
Scientist, Personal Care Formulation
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania
|
$50,366 | 47 |
|
IQVIA
|
$121,275 | 46 |
Washington University in St. Louis
|
$68,250 | 46 |
| WC Worldwide Clinical Trials | $145,000 | 43 |
| MG Mass General Brigham | $52,010 | 28 |
ICON plc
|
$124,335 | 27 |
| FO Fortrea | $110,000 | 11 |
University of Chicago
|
$67,500 | 11 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
MSD
|
$222,900 | 1 |
| PP Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. | $180,000 | 1 |
|
Immunome, Inc.
|
$173,058 | 1 |
| BP Bora Pharmaceuticals | $163,500 | 1 |
|
Novartis
|
$155,000 | 1 |
|
Cresilon, Inc.
|
$155,000 | 1 |
|
Moderna
|
$141,900 | 1 |
|
Entegris
|
$137,000 | 1 |
Clinical Research salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $136,000 | 5 |
| San Francisco | $132,650 | 6 |
| Los Angeles | $124,335 | 5 |
| Denver | $113,544 | 6 |
| Seattle | $102,753 | 3 |
| Chicago | $65,770 | 17 |
| Austin | $53,454 | 5 |
| Boston | $52,010 | 30 |
Clinical Research vs Formulation Scientist: which pays more?
The median for Clinical Research is $69,056 per year (typically $58,726–$116,925), versus $139,450 for Formulation Scientist ($117,335–$161,375). That puts Formulation Scientist about 102% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so Clinical Research and Formulation Scientist 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.