Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist in the United States is $71,752 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,539
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,311 to $78,445
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,536

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salaries

A Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $70,358
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,527
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $103,515
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $129,142
  • Expert (over 8 years): $156,319
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist less than 1 year $70,358
Quality Assurance Specialist II 1-2 years $85,527
Quality Assurance Specialist III 2-4 years $103,515
Quality Assurance Specialist IV 5-8 years $129,142
Quality Assurance Specialist V over 8 years $156,319

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $90,501
  • San Francisco: $89,510
  • Oakland: $87,624

Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $93,278 $45.0 30%
Energy & Utilities $89,690 $43.0 25%
Financial Services $86,103 $41.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $86,103 $41.0 20%
Software & Networking $86,103 $41.0 20%

How Education impacts a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist with a Associate's is between $63,731 and $67,850.

Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.9%
High School 19.2%
Associate's Degree 13.9%
Bachelor's Degree 54.5%
Master's Degree or MBA 11.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%

Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$64,311
Average $71,752/year
$78,445
$5,359
Average $5,979/month
$6,537
$1,237
Average $1,380/week
$1,509
$31
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,445 $6,537 $1,509 $38
Average $71,752 $5,979 $1,380 $34
25th Percentile $64,311 $5,359 $1,237 $31

Most common benefits for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    3 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    3 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst