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Clinical Trial Scientist Salary in California

How much does a Clinical Trial Scientist make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Trial Scientist in California is $104,185 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Clinical Trial Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,834
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,611 to $116,040
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,895
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Clinical Trial Scientist Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Trial Scientist Salaries

A Clinical Trial Scientist'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 Trial Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Trial Scientist'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): $97,366
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $98,091
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,540
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $101,715
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,831
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Clinical Trial Scientist less than 1 year $97,366
Early Career Level Clinical Trial Scientist 1-2 years $98,091
Mid-Level Level Clinical Trial Scientist 2-4 years $99,540
Senior-Level Level Clinical Trial Scientist 5-8 years $101,715
Expert Level Clinical Trial Scientist over 8 years $105,831

How Do Clinical Trial Scientist 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 Trial Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $104,581.
  • California: $104,185.
  • Massachusetts: $102,796.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Trial Scientist

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: $104,364
  • West Hollywood: $104,289
  • Dodgertown: $104,363

Clinical Trial Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Trial Scientist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Clinical Trial Scientist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Clinical Trial Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Trial Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance $114,603 $55.0 10%
Healthcare $109,394 $53.0 5%

Clinical Trial Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Trial Scientist'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 September 01, 2026
$94,611
Average $104,185/year
$116,040
$7,884
Average $8,682/month
$9,670
$1,819
Average $2,004/week
$2,232
$45
Average $50/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,040 $9,670 $2,232 $56
Average $104,185 $8,682 $2,004 $50
25th Percentile $94,611 $7,884 $1,819 $45

Find Your Next Clinical Trial Scientist Job

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

  • Corvus Pharmaceutical | South San Francisco, CA

    Clinical Scientist Sr Clinical Scientist

    Corvus Pharmaceutical | South San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical and late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies with the potenti... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ascendis Pharma | Palo Alto, CA

    Clinical Scientist

    Ascendis Pharma | Palo Alto, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the Un... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Janux Therapeutics | San Diego, CA

    Sr Clinical Trial Manager

    Janux Therapeutics | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. The Senior Clinical Trial Manager will be responsible for managing operational aspects of assigned clinical trials, with ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Predicine, Inc | Hayward, CA

    Clinical Trial Associate

    Predicine, Inc | Hayward, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Clinical Trial Associate. Location: Onsite, Hayward, CA. Department: Clinical Development. Employment Type: Full Time. Po... more

    6 Days Ago

  • REVOLUTION Medicines | Redwood City, CA

    Clinical Trial Manager

    REVOLUTION Medicines | Redwood City, CA

    Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on developing novel targeted therapies to inhibit frontier targets in RAS-addic... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Structure Therapeutics | South San Francisco, CA

    Senior Clinical Trial Assistant

    Structure Therapeutics | South San Francisco, CA

    About Us:Structure Therapeutics develops life-changing medicines for patients using advanced structure-based and computational drug discovery technology. T... more

    7 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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