Side-by-side distribution
Clinical Research
$72,020
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 37.4%
- Live roles
- 1,008
Formulation Scientist
$145,550
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 63.3%
- Live roles
- 30
Highest-paying jobs
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
Director, Clinical Researcher
Highest-paying jobs
Principal Scientist, Oral Formulation Sciences
Staff Membrane Formulation Scientist
Associate Principal Scientist, Oral Formulation Sciences
Principal Scientist, Formulation Development (DPDT)
Principal Scientist - Process & Formulation
Senior Scientist, Oral Formulation Sciences (On-site)
Manager/Principal Scientist Research & Development - Polymer Formulation
Senior Formulation Scientist, Sterile & Peptide Product Development
Principal Scientist – Protein Formulation & Biophysical Characterization (High-Concentration Biologics)
Scientist, Process Development (Formulation)
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania
|
$50,366 | 40 |
Washington University in St. Louis
|
$68,250 | 36 |
|
IQVIA
|
$127,225 | 32 |
| MG Mass General Brigham | $52,010 | 29 |
| WC Worldwide Clinical Trials | $145,000 | 28 |
ICON plc
|
$124,335 | 26 |
University of Chicago
|
$67,500 | 18 |
| BI Beth Israel Lahey Health | $50,066 | 13 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
MSD
|
$166,925 | 4 |
| DE Dexcom | $189,100 | 1 |
|
Regeneron
|
$169,300 | 1 |
| BP Bora Pharmaceuticals | $163,500 | 1 |
|
Hims & Hers
|
$160,000 | 1 |
Avalyn Pharma
|
$156,000 | 1 |
|
Cresilon, Inc.
|
$155,000 | 1 |
PTC Therapeutics
|
$145,550 | 1 |
Clinical Research salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $183,250 | 4 |
| New York | $124,335 | 14 |
| Los Angeles | $124,335 | 5 |
| Denver | $124,335 | 6 |
| Chicago | $67,500 | 25 |
| Boston | $52,010 | 30 |
| Austin | $40,000 | 3 |
Clinical Research vs Formulation Scientist: which pays more?
The median for Clinical Research is $72,020 per year (typically $59,670–$111,400), versus $145,550 for Formulation Scientist ($96,680–$161,750). 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.