Side-by-side distribution
Clinical Research
$71,354
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 38.7%
- Live roles
- 1,026
Medical Affairs
$186,375
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 42.3%
- Live roles
- 475
Highest-paying jobs
Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology
Clinical AI Researcher
Client Relationship Associate Director, Connected Devices PM (Clinical Research)
Associate Clinical Research Director
Associate Director, Quality Assurance (GCP & Clinical Research)
Associate Principal Scientist, Clinical Research
RN - Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator - MGH
Senior Clinical Research Associate (Remote - Field Based)
Clinical Research Associate, Sponsor Dedicated, Oncology
Senior Clinical Research Associate, Sponsor Dedicated
Highest-paying jobs
Medical Science Liaison - Southern California
Medical Science Liaison - Chicago
Medical Science Liaison – Midwest
Medical Science Liaison – Michigan/Indiana
Medical Science Liaison, Northeast
Medical Science Liaison - Florida
Medical Science Liaison – NYC, Long Island
Senior Medical Science Liaison, Neuroimmunology (NV-UT-CO)
Medical Science Liaison (MSL) – Neuromuscular (LA, AZ) Remote
Medical Science Liaison (MSL) – Neuromuscular (WA, OR) Remote
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania
|
$52,037 | 46 |
Washington University in St. Louis
|
$68,250 | 41 |
|
IQVIA
|
$128,050 | 33 |
| WC Worldwide Clinical Trials | $145,000 | 30 |
| MG Mass General Brigham | $52,010 | 29 |
ICON plc
|
$124,335 | 25 |
University of Chicago
|
$67,500 | 15 |
| FO Fortrea | $110,000 | 13 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
Bristol Myers Squibb
|
$183,676 | 22 |
Johnson & Johnson
|
$159,125 | 18 |
AstraZeneca
|
$218,069 | 15 |
GSK
|
$189,574 | 12 |
Eisai
|
$166,850 | 11 |
|
Organon
|
$250,150 | 8 |
|
Sanofi
|
$178,750 | 7 |
| NO Novartis | $229,000 | 5 |
Clinical Research salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $124,335 | 7 |
| Los Angeles | $124,335 | 5 |
| Denver | $124,335 | 6 |
| Seattle | $113,544 | 4 |
| San Francisco | $102,753 | 7 |
| Chicago | $67,500 | 19 |
| Boston | $52,010 | 29 |
| Austin | $46,727 | 4 |
Medical Affairs salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $221,535 | 8 |
| Atlanta | $218,069 | 5 |
| Seattle | $214,200 | 5 |
| San Francisco | $202,100 | 4 |
| Boston | $200,775 | 8 |
| Los Angeles | $192,532 | 10 |
| New York | $186,375 | 13 |
| Chicago | $183,676 | 13 |
| Austin | $180,514 | 4 |
Clinical Research vs Medical Affairs: which pays more?
The median for Clinical Research is $71,354 per year (typically $59,830–$106,000), versus $186,375 for Medical Affairs ($166,850–$216,500). That puts Medical Affairs about 161% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so Clinical Research and Medical Affairs 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.