2026-2027 MedTech Compensation Guide

Clinical

Base salary and total compensation benchmarks for 7 clinical roles, with the guide's notes on what moves the numbers.

On this page

Clinical Specialist and Clinical Research Associate
Medical Science Liaison
Clinical Affairs Manager and Director
VP of Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer

Clinical Specialist and Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Specialist

30%Avg. variable

$130k
Average total compensation: $100k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $80k to $130k
Total compensation range: $95k to $170k

Clinical Research Associate

16%Avg. variable

$110k
Average total compensation: $95k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $70k to $130k
Total compensation range: $85k to $155k

The definitions

Clinical Specialist: Provides clinical education, procedural or technical support, and product training to healthcare professionals. Responsibilities may include case coverage, troubleshooting, and collaboration with commercial teams.

Clinical Research Associate: Monitors studies to support protocol adherence, participant protection, data quality, and applicable requirements. Duties may include site visits, source-data review, issue resolution, and study documentation.

Medical Science Liaison

11%Avg. variable

$155k
Average total compensation: $140k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $110k to $190k
Total compensation range: $130k to $200k

The definition

This role provides consistent delivery of clinical, educational, and compliant scientific information to enhance the understanding of the scientific and medical value of the company's products. They also contribute to the company's clinical R&D efforts.

Clinical Affairs Manager and Director

Clinical Affairs Manager

10%Avg. variable

$170k
Average total compensation: $155k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $115k to $180k
Total compensation range: $145k to $240k

Director of Clinical Affairs

29%Avg. variable

$220k
Average total compensation: $170k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $140k to $240k
Total compensation range: $180k to $310k

Did you know?

Real-world evidence can support medical device regulatory decisions when the underlying data are relevant and reliable for the intended use. Clinical affairs teams should evaluate data quality and study design early, aligning evidence plans with regulatory and postmarket objectives.

VP of Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer

VP of Clinical Affairs

40%Avg. variable

$350k
Average total compensation: $250k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $180k to $280k
Total compensation range: $210k to $410k

Chief Medical Officer

46%Avg. variable

$475k
Average total compensation: $325k
Average base salary

Base salary range: $280k to $580k
Total compensation range: $350k to $700k

The market

Clinical executives connect patient needs, evidence strategy, and business priorities across the product lifecycle. For 2026-2027 planning, evaluate experience in clinical development, regulatory collaboration, postmarket evidence, and medical leadership. Compensation should reflect portfolio complexity, development stage, and clinical accountability.

Reimbursement and Market Access All functions Research and Development

The full guideAll 11 functions as a PDFEvery role with the guide's notes, to keep and share with your team. Free, in exchange for your name and email.

A custom benchmarkYour role, your market, current numbersSalary ranges vary across company size, geography, vertical, and compensation structure. For a more granular, role-specific analysis, request a custom compensation benchmark.compbenchmark@floodgatemedical.com

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