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Drug Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Development information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$76.4K

$131.3K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in California is $76,424.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $89,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is drug development?

Drug development is the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to market. It involves several stages, including drug discovery, preclinical research, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. Each stage is designed to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the drug before it can be made available to patients. The entire process can take several years and requires collaboration between scientists, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

What are the typical stages of collaboration between different teams in a drug development role?

In drug development, professionals regularly collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, including research scientists, clinical trial coordinators, regulatory affairs specialists, and manufacturing experts. Early stages involve close work with research and discovery teams to identify promising compounds, followed by coordination with clinical teams during trial phases, and finally with regulatory and production teams as the drug moves toward approval and commercialization. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are essential, as each stage relies on timely data sharing and joint problem-solving to navigate complex challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in drug development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Drug Development, you need a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, or chemistry, often supported by an advanced degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or MSc). Familiarity with regulatory compliance, clinical trial management systems, and data analysis software such as SAS or R is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help professionals excel in this multidisciplinary field. These competencies ensure that new drugs are developed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Drug Development vs Pharmacologist?

AspectDrug DevelopmentPharmacologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related fields; often requires experience in clinical trialsDegree in Pharmacology, Pharmacy, or related fields; may require licensing or certification for clinical practice
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trial sitesResearch labs, hospitals, academic institutions, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageDeveloping new drugs, overseeing clinical trials, regulatory submissionsStudying drug effects, mechanisms, safety, and efficacy; advising on drug use

While both roles are integral to the pharmaceutical industry, Drug Development focuses on creating and bringing new drugs to market through research, testing, and regulatory processes. Pharmacologists primarily study how drugs interact with biological systems, often working in research or clinical settings to understand drug effects and safety. The two roles often collaborate but differ in their core responsibilities and career focus.

How much do drug development professionals make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and clinical trial managers, typically earn salaries ranging from $70,000 to over $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior positions or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Is drug development a good career?

Drug development is a challenging and rewarding career that involves research, clinical trials, and regulatory processes to bring new medications to market. It requires strong scientific knowledge, attention to detail, and often collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. The field offers opportunities for growth, innovation, and contributing to public health, but can also involve long hours and high responsibility.

What career develops drugs?

A career in drug development typically involves roles such as pharmacologist, medicinal chemist, clinical researcher, or regulatory affairs specialist. These professionals work in laboratories, research facilities, or pharmaceutical companies to discover, test, and bring new drugs to market, often requiring knowledge of biology, chemistry, and regulatory processes.

What are popular job titles related to Drug Development jobs in California?

For Drug Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Drug Development job openings:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,424 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Project Manager (Drug Development)

Dawar Consulting

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$171.92/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

San Mateo, United States | Posted on 08/13/2026

Our client, a world leader in biotechnology and life sciences, is looking for a “Project Manager (Drug Development)”.

Location

Foster City, CA (Hybrid)

Job Duration

Long-Term Contract (Possibility Of Extension)

Rate

$60-$63/hr on W2

Company Benefits
  • Medical
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • 401 (k)
About the Role

The Research Strategy, Innovation group is seeking a talented and highly motivated project manager to manage coordination and progression of scientific research projects in a highly collaborative environment and cross-functional matrix.

Responsibilities
  • Responsible for starting up or managing the research-based development subteams.
  • May help manage teams that are preparing to present their molecule at governance meeting for clinical development.
  • Experience working effectively with cross-functional project teams to build and develop the team, diagnose team health and take action to address team issues.
  • Ability to organize new cross-functional project teams, define objectives and scope, identify tasks and milestones, build project schedules, identify resource needs, track execution to schedule, and manage risks.
  • Experience and ability in successfully managing multiple cross-functional tasks simultaneously.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years, MS degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, which includes experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a functional area scientist or project manager.
  • Direct experience or strong foundation in drug development process is preferred.
  • Must be on site at Foster City office at least 3 days per week.
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