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Full Time Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California

Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - Southern California ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and ...

Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - Los Angeles, CA ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments ...

Come join us as a Clinical Research Associate I in which you will manage an assigned set of multiple research protocols to assure efficiency and regulatory compliance of the protocol, attending ...

Clinical Research Associate - Early Stage Development - West Region ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and ...

Clinical Research Associate

Long Beach, CA · On-site +1

$91K - $114K/yr

Clinical Research Associate - Early Stage Development - West Region ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and ...

Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - West Region ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to ...

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Full Time Clinical Research Associate information

See California salary details

$35.5K

$93.1K

$141.6K

How much do full time clinical research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time clinical research associate in California is $93,079.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,700.00 and $126,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a full time clinical research associate?

A Full Time Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is a professional responsible for monitoring clinical trials and ensuring that research studies comply with regulatory requirements and study protocols. CRAs play a critical role in the development of new drugs and medical devices by overseeing the progress of clinical trials, verifying data accuracy, and ensuring patient safety. They often travel to various clinical sites to conduct site visits, train staff, and review study documentation. Working full time, a CRA may handle multiple studies simultaneously and collaborate closely with investigators, sponsors, and regulatory agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time clinical research associate?

To thrive as a Full Time Clinical Research Associate, you need a solid background in life sciences or a related field, familiarity with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and a bachelor's degree (often required). Proficiency in clinical trial management systems (CTMS), electronic data capture (EDC) platforms, and understanding of regulatory requirements is crucial, and certifications like ACRP or SOCRA are often valued. Strong attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills help you effectively monitor trials and collaborate with study sites. These competencies ensure that clinical trials are conducted ethically, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory standards, which is vital for patient safety and reliable research outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by full time clinical research associates when managing multiple clinical trials simultaneously?

Full Time Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) often juggle several studies at once, which can make prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively a challenge. Staying compliant with regulatory requirements while ensuring data accuracy and maintaining clear communication with site staff requires strong organizational skills. Additionally, frequent travel and adapting to different site environments can be demanding. CRAs who develop robust planning strategies and effective communication habits tend to navigate these challenges successfully, ensuring studies run smoothly and efficiently.

What is the difference between Full Time Clinical Research Associate vs Clinical Research Coordinator?

AspectFull Time Clinical Research AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, often with clinical or life sciences background; certifications like CCRP or ACRP are commonBachelor's degree in health sciences or related field; certifications like CCRP or ACRP are also common
Work EnvironmentMonitor clinical trials at multiple sites, often traveling; work closely with sponsors and CROsManage daily trial activities at a single site; coordinate with investigators and staff
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, CROs, biotech firmsHospitals, clinics, research sites, academic institutions

While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, a Full Time Clinical Research Associate primarily monitors multiple trial sites and ensures compliance, often traveling. In contrast, a Clinical Research Coordinator manages trial activities at a single site, focusing on patient recruitment and data collection. Both roles are essential in clinical research but differ in scope and daily responsibilities.

What cities in California are hiring for Full Time Clinical Research Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Full Time Clinical Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Full Time Clinical Research Associate job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,079 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Clinical Research Associate II

Cedars Sinai

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Cedars-Sinai rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 131 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 1,064 rated hospitals


Job description

This role is designed to be 100% onsite, giving you the opportunity to collaborate closely with your team and immerse yourself in the energy of our workplace. Please note that hybrid or remote work options are NOT available for this position at this time.

Please note that a cover letter is required as part of the application. The cover letter should explain your interest in this opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals. Applications missing this document will not be considered.

Cedars-Sinai has an outstanding opportunity for an independent and well-organized contributor to serve as a CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE II to Dr. Judy Tan to support community-engaged research that develops behavioral and community-based health interventions for LGBTQ+ communities of color. Dr. Tan, Associate Professor, Cancer Research Center for Health Equity, Division of Population Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, is a social psychologist and applies her training in behavioral and prevention sciences to develop innovative interventions for improving health outcomes among marginalized populations in the U.S.

This position provides contributions to behavioral and implementation science for the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity. The scope of the work includes research involving participants recruited from the surrounding LA communities and interactions with community-based researchers, academic researchers, and local community organizations and health systems. 

The Clinical Research Associate II works independently but in close collaboration with a Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Program Administrator, Research Nurse, other supervising staff to coordinate and/or implement increasingly complex research studies. Supports objectives of research studies through noncomplex tasks such as data collection, prescreening of potential and scheduling of current research participants, assisting in IRB submission activities, budget and billing, and ensuring overall compliance with all federal and local guidelines. Provides increasingly complex and independent support for studies by serving as the independent contact with sponsors, IRB, and research participants, providing training, education to junior level staff, and coordination of ad hoc activities related to studies. May serve independently as study coordinator for minimal number of noncomplex research studies or projects.

Responsibilities:

  • Works independently under minimal direction from a Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Program Administrator, Research Nurse, or other supervising staff to coordinate and/or implement increasingly complex research studies.
  • Collects, evaluates and/or abstracts clinical research data. May assist in designing forms for data collection/abstraction. Enters and processes clinical research data into Electronic Data Systems (EDCs) that are provided by the sponsors.
  • Completes Case Report Forms (CRFs).
  • Independently prescreens potential research participants for various clinical trials. Schedules research participants for research visits and research procedures. May provide increasingly independent contact with research participants and/or conduct research participant visits independently.
  • Assists supervising staff with regulatory submissions to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). May work directly with the Institutional Review Board to submit Adverse Events, Serious Adverse Events, Safety Letters, etc in accordance with local and federal guidelines.
  • Assists with clinical trial budgets and patient billing.
  • Responsible for sample preparation and shipping and maintenance of study supplies and kits.
  • Ensures compliance with protocol and overall clinical research objectives. Ensures compliance with all federal and local agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local Institutional Review Board. Maintains research practices using Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Maintains strict patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations and applicable law.
  • May serve as the primary point of contact for external sponsors for select trials. Responds to sponsor inquiries and attends meetings regarding study activities.
  • Participates in and provides training and education to other Clinical Research Associates. May assist in coordinating activities of other associates to ensure compliance with protocol and clinical research objectives.
  • Participates in centralized activities such as auditing, Standard Operating Procedure development, etc.
  • May participate in the development of Investigator Initiated trials for Investigational New Drug applications and/or Device applications
  • May provide coordination of minimal number of noncomplex research studies or projects independently. May provide coverage for study coordination activities of supervising staff when needed to ensure minimal disruption to study objectives.

Education

  • High School Diploma/GED - minimum
  • Bachelor's Degree Science, Sociology or related degree. - preferred


Experience

  • 1 year Clinical research related. - minimum


Licenses and Certifications

  • Certification In Clinical Research - preferred SOCRA or ACRP certification

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