Clinical Evaluation Specialist
A Clinical Evaluation Specialist reviews clinical data to show that a medical device is safe and performs as intended.
This guide explains typical pay in the United States, how it changes with experience,
location and employer, and what you can do to earn more.
$85,000
Low (entry range)
$110,000
Median base salary
$145,000
High (senior range)
High
Hiring demand
Salary Range and Percentiles
The typical annual base salary for a Clinical Evaluation Specialist in the USA runs from about $85,000 at the low end to about $145,000 at the high end, with a median near $110,000. The role sits in the Security and Regulatory category because it supports regulatory submissions and compliance for medical devices.
| Percentile | Annual base (USD) | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|
| Low (10th) | $85,000 | Entry level, smaller employers, lower-cost regions |
| 25th | $96,000 | Early career with some regulatory exposure |
| Median (50th) | $110,000 | Mid-level specialist with several years of experience |
| 75th | $126,000 | Experienced specialist or team lead |
| High (90th) | $145,000 | Senior or principal level in high-paying markets |
Salary by Years of Experience
Experience is the strongest driver of pay in this field. Writing clinical evaluation reports and defending them during regulatory review takes judgment that builds over time.
| Experience | Median estimated base (USD) |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $85,000 |
| 1 to 3 years | $93,000 |
| 3 to 5 years | $103,000 |
| 5 to 8 years | $113,000 |
| 8 to 12 years | $126,000 |
| 12 or more years | $140,000 |
Salary by City and Region
Pay is higher in regions with large concentrations of medical device and life science companies, where competition for regulatory talent is strong. These figures are estimated medians and also reflect local cost of living.
| City or metro area | Region | Estimated median (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Bay Area | West | $132,000 |
| Boston-Cambridge | Northeast | $128,000 |
| San Diego | West | $124,000 |
| New York City | Northeast | $121,000 |
| Los Angeles-Orange County | West | $120,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | Midwest | $117,000 |
| Washington, DC | South | $115,000 |
| Chicago | Midwest | $112,000 |
| Raleigh-Durham | South | $111,000 |
| Philadelphia | Northeast | $110,000 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | South | $106,000 |
| Atlanta | South | $105,000 |
By region, the West and Northeast tend to sit above the national median, the Midwest is close to it, and the South is often slightly below it, with exceptions in research hubs such as Raleigh-Durham.
Salary by Employer Type
Who you work for affects both base pay and extras such as bonuses and equity.
| Employer type | Estimated median (USD) |
|---|---|
| Pharma and biotech companies | $120,000 |
| Large medical device manufacturers | $118,000 |
| Regulatory consultancies and notified body partners | $112,000 |
| Contract research organizations | $108,000 |
| Small and mid-size device companies | $106,000 |
| Hospitals and academic centers | $92,000 |
Hourly and Monthly Equivalents
To convert annual pay, divide by 2,080 working hours for the hourly rate and by 12 for the monthly rate. Figures are before taxes and exclude benefits.
| Level | Annual | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $85,000 | $7,083 | $40.87 |
| Median | $110,000 | $9,167 | $52.88 |
| High | $145,000 | $12,083 | $69.71 |
How It Compares to Related HealthTech Roles
Several nearby roles share skills with clinical evaluation. The table shows estimated typical ranges for comparison.
| Role | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Evaluation Specialist | $85,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialist | $80,000 | $100,000 | $135,000 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $75,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 |
| Clinical Data Manager | $78,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |
| Post-Market Surveillance Specialist | $78,000 | $98,000 | $128,000 |
| Quality Engineer (Medical Devices) | $75,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Medical Writer | $70,000 | $92,000 | $125,000 |
Skills That Raise Pay
Skills and responsibilities
What the role does
✅ Designs end-to-end ML and LLM platforms for clinical and operational use
✅ Sets MLOps, model monitoring and governance standards
✅ Works with clinicians, data and security teams on safe deployment
✅ Guides regulatory strategy for AI-enabled software
✅ Mentors senior engineers and data scientists
Skills that raise pay
✅ EU MDR and clinical evaluation knowledge:
✅ Systematic literature review
✅ Biostatistics basics
✅ Risk management (ISO 14971)
✅ Post-market clinical follow-up
✅ Technical writing and regulator communication
✅ Certifications and degrees
Career Path
Tips to Increase Your Salary
✅ Build deep MDR experience. Managing complete clinical evaluation reports through a successful review sets you apart.
✅ Specialize in a high-risk device area. Implants, cardiovascular and software-based devices often need stronger clinical evidence.
✅ Learn statistics and data analysis. This lets you take on more complex evaluations.
✅ Consider employer type and location. Pharma-linked, large device and major hub employers often pay more.
✅ Add credentials. Regulatory or clinical research certifications show validated expertise.
✅ Take on leadership. Mentoring juniors or leading submissions supports a move to a manager title.
✅ Negotiate with evidence. Compare your pay to current postings and bring examples of results you delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology and Disclaimer
Methodology. The low ($85,000), median ($110,000) and high ($145,000) base salary figures are the benchmark range used for this page. Percentiles, experience levels, city and employer figures, and related-role comparisons are estimates built around that range, adjusted for typical experience progression, regional cost differences and employer pay patterns. Hourly figures use 2,080 hours per year and monthly figures use 12 months. They are not drawn from a single survey or official dataset.
Disclaimer. This page is for general information only. Actual pay varies by employer, location, education, skills, negotiation and market conditions, and may include bonuses, equity and benefits not shown here. It is not financial, legal or career advice. Check current job postings and official salary sources before making decisions. Figures are reviewed periodically and may change.