Side-by-side distribution
Clinical Research
$115,000
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 21.9%
- Live roles
- 105
Medical Affairs
$216,500
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 68.9%
- Live roles
- 106
Highest-paying jobs
Senior Clinical Research Associate
Senior Clinical Research Associate (CRA) - Texas or Arizona
Senior Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical Research Associate II
Clinical Research Associate II / Sr. CRA (Pain Management), Central US
Clinical Research Associate II / Sr. CRA, Eastern or Central US
Clinical Researcher
Senior Clinical Research Associate/Clinical Research Associate II - FSP
Highest-paying jobs
Medical Science Liaison
Senior Director, Regional Field Medical Science Liaison (MSL) West
Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) - Respiratory
Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) - Dermatology
Director, Medical Science Liaison, Oncology (Dallas, AR, LA, OK, MS)
Director, Medical Science Liaison (Southern Florida, Puerto Rico)
Director, Medical Science Liaison (Northern California, Hawaii)
Director, Medical Science Liaison (MI, WI, MN)
Director, Medical Science Liaison (Northern Florida, GA, SC, AL, MS)
Director, Medical Science Liaison, (NY, Southern Connecticut)
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
Care Access
|
$75,000 | 7 |
|
Corcept Therapeutics
|
$150,175 | 2 |
|
Axle
|
$150,000 | 2 |
|
Rho Inc
|
$115,000 | 2 |
Arizona Liver Health
|
$66,040 | 2 |
|
MapLight Therapeutics
|
$152,500 | 1 |
|
Ceribell, Inc
|
$133,500 | 1 |
|
Egenesisbio
|
$132,000 | 1 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
Revolution Medicines
|
$247,500 | 17 |
| AT Axsome Therapeutics | $175,000 | 5 |
Regenxbio
|
$200,000 | 4 |
| PP Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. | $183,750 | 4 |
|
BridgeBio Pharma
|
$230,000 | 3 |
Vor Bio
|
$224,000 | 3 |
Cogent Biosciences
|
$222,500 | 3 |
Oruka Therapeutics
|
$211,000 | 3 |
Medical Affairs salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $175,000 | 3 |
Clinical Research vs Medical Affairs: which pays more?
The median for Clinical Research is $115,000 per year (typically $85,500–$133,500), versus $216,500 for Medical Affairs ($195,000–$247,500). That puts Medical Affairs about 88% 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.