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Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salary in California

How much does a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist in California is $79,149 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,271
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,936 to $86,541
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,459
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Job Openings in California

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 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): $77,609
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,343
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,183
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $142,449
  • Expert (over 8 years): $172,440
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist less than 1 year $77,609
Quality Assurance Specialist II 1-2 years $94,343
Quality Assurance Specialist III 2-4 years $114,183
Quality Assurance Specialist IV 5-8 years $142,449
Quality Assurance Specialist V over 8 years $172,440

How Do Clinical Research Recruitment Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Clinical Research Recruitment Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $79,451.
  • California: $79,149.
  • Massachusetts: $78,094.

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:

  • Los Angeles: $79,286
  • West Hollywood: $79,228
  • Dodgertown: $79,285

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 $102,894 $49.0 30%
Energy & Utilities $98,937 $48.0 25%
Financial Services $94,979 $46.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $94,979 $46.0 20%
Software & Networking $94,979 $46.0 20%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$70,936
Average $79,149/year
$86,541
$5,911
Average $6,596/month
$7,212
$1,364
Average $1,522/week
$1,664
$34
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,541 $7,212 $1,664 $42
Average $79,149 $6,596 $1,522 $38
25th Percentile $70,936 $5,911 $1,364 $34

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.

  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC | Irvine, CA

    Clinical Research Program Specialist

    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC | Irvine, CA

    For more than 75 years, the University of Southern California has been working to ensure that people of every age and from every circumstance can live life... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Balboa United, LLC | Chula Vista, CA

    Clinical Research Specialist

    Balboa United, LLC | Chula Vista, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Why work for us. Balboa Nephrology is the largest kidney care practice in California and participates in a national Medic... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Indotronix | Irvine, CA

    Clinical Research Specialist

    Indotronix | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Identify, develop, recommend, and implement, moderately complex process development and process improvement solutions to ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Cleveland Clinic | CLEVELAND, OH

    Pharmacy Clinical Specialist

    Cleveland Clinic | CLEVELAND, OH

    Job Description. \n. \n. \n. This role is eligible for a sign on bonus of $10,000 to $15,000 and up to $5,000 in relocation reimbursement. \n. \n. Join Cle... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Mercy | ST LOUIS, MO

    Clinical research nurse

    Mercy | ST LOUIS, MO

    Find your calling at Mercy. The Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) is responsible for coordination of research studies conducted by Mercy Research. The Clinical... more

    2 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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