Employment in the life sciences has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and the industry's resilience isn't surprising — after all, prescription drug spend in the U.S. hit an all-time high of $358.7 billion in 2020. But the race for securing top talent in the life sciences will begin moving at unprecedented speeds as pricing pressures, ever-evolving regulatory pathways and expanding development portfolios continue to challenge how the industry adapts to meet global healthcare needs.
With so much change afoot, 2021 is proving to be a pivotal year in the life sciences arena. And for those leaders not prioritizing personnel and emerging tech in their organizations, it's going to be harder than ever to keep up.
Given that biotech products now account for 53 percent of global prescription drug sales — a 55 percent market share increase over eight years — it's easy to see why demand for cell and molecular biologists remains at a fever pitch. And if your company is looking to hire in medical research hubs in California and Massachusetts, where demand is highest, you're likely already feeling that burn.
To stay ahead of the game in 2021 and beyond, leading players in the life sciences will need to broaden their approach to talent acquisition. That means looking to staffing partners and defining alternate channels for candidate sourcing in order to find the best talent out there. And given the extensive education needed for these roles — which can sometimes include a Ph.D. — companies should plan on carving out opportunities for professional development and tuition reimbursement to get their current employees the credentials they need to succeed in this area.
The outcome of any clinical trial hinges on the clinical research associates (CRAs) who run nearly every facet of those operations driving the development of new drugs. And with the continued call for enhanced efficiencies and digital transformation in clinical trials, these master conductors are having to become even more adept at identifying process improvements and harnessing new technologies for data management.
So to ensure your new products receive the regulatory approval needed to hit the marketplace, you'll need great CRAs on board. However, sourcing the best of the best will certainly present challenges well into 2021, as demand for this role is expected to increase 10 percent in the next decade — more than double the average for all other occupations. That's a sobering statistic for any hiring manager in this space to consider.
Drug safety specialists are key players at the front lines of pharmacovigilance — the science of collecting, detecting and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients who take new drugs and other pharmaceutical products. And with ADRs occurring in 10 to 20 percent of all hospital admissions, it's no surprise that the pharmacovigilance market is forecast to top $13 billion by 2027.
Life sciences companies will need to amp up their hiring of drug safety specialists in 2021 accordingly — and that won't be easy, given the education, experience and deep knowledge of FDA pharmacovigilance inspection protocols required for this role. Adding to the pressure is a projected 10 percent increase in demand for these pros. Expect to pull out all the stops if you plan to hire a drug safety specialist in 2021.
As modern-day scribes, medical writers play a key role in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, having to break down complex scientific information across a number of important channels and audiences. That means they not only need subject-matter expertise, they also need to know how best to communicate a wealth of data and results to medical professionals and the general public alike.
So when it's time to submit new drugs or medical devices for approval, having skilled medical writers at the table can mean the difference between success and returning to the drawing board. But with more than 3,000 medical writer jobs posted in the past 12 months and the BLS forecasting a seven percent increase in demand for technical writers of all stripes, hiring talented medical writers will remain a challenge and should be considered an urgent priority moving forward.
Quality assurance (QA) specialists at life sciences companies today have one core mission: ensuring that the highest standards are upheld across all internal operations. This includes everything from research and development (R&D) to clinical trials and more. As such, QA specialists provide incredible business value by helping companies remain compliant and secure regulatory approval, in addition to driving positive patient outcomes.
Given those tall orders, it's easy to see why opportunities for these professionals are soaring, with nearly 9,000 jobs posted in the previous year alone. Demand is highest in research hubs across California and Texas, and companies in those markets will need to offer compelling compensation and benefits to lure top-performing QA specialists.
Given that biotech products now account for 53 percent of global prescription drug sales — a 55 percent market share increase over eight years — it's easy to see why demand for cell and molecular biologists remains at a fever pitch. And if your company is looking to hire in medical research hubs in California and Massachusetts, where demand is highest, you're likely already feeling that burn.
To stay ahead of the game in 2021 and beyond, leading players in the life sciences will need to broaden their approach to talent acquisition. That means looking to staffing partners and defining alternate channels for candidate sourcing in order to find the best talent out there. And given the extensive education needed for these roles — which can sometimes include a Ph.D. — companies should plan on carving out opportunities for professional development and tuition reimbursement to get their current employees the credentials they need to succeed in this area.
Given that biotech products now account for 53 percent of global prescription drug sales — a 55 percent market share increase over eight years — it's easy to see why demand for cell and molecular biologists remains at a fever pitch. And if your company is looking to hire in medical research hubs in California and Massachusetts, where demand is highest, you're likely already feeling that burn.
To stay ahead of the game in 2021 and beyond, leading players in the life sciences will need to broaden their approach to talent acquisition. That means looking to staffing partners and defining alternate channels for candidate sourcing in order to find the best talent out there. And given the extensive education needed for these roles — which can sometimes include a Ph.D. — companies should plan on carving out opportunities for professional development and tuition reimbursement to get their current employees the credentials they need to succeed in this area.
The outcome of any clinical trial hinges on the clinical research associates (CRAs) who run nearly every facet of those operations driving the development of new drugs. And with the continued call for enhanced efficiencies and digital transformation in clinical trials, these master conductors are having to become even more adept at identifying process improvements and harnessing new technologies for data management.
So to ensure your new products receive the regulatory approval needed to hit the marketplace, you'll need great CRAs on board. However, sourcing the best of the best will certainly present challenges well into 2021, as demand for this role is expected to increase 10 percent in the next decade — more than double the average for all other occupations. That's a sobering statistic for any hiring manager in this space to consider.
Drug safety specialists are key players at the front lines of pharmacovigilance — the science of collecting, detecting and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients who take new drugs and other pharmaceutical products. And with ADRs occurring in 10 to 20 percent of all hospital admissions, it's no surprise that the pharmacovigilance market is forecast to top $13 billion by 2027.
Life sciences companies will need to amp up their hiring of drug safety specialists in 2021 accordingly — and that won't be easy, given the education, experience and deep knowledge of FDA pharmacovigilance inspection protocols required for this role. Adding to the pressure is a projected 10 percent increase in demand for these pros. Expect to pull out all the stops if you plan to hire a drug safety specialist in 2021.
As modern-day scribes, medical writers play a key role in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, having to break down complex scientific information across a number of important channels and audiences. That means they not only need subject-matter expertise, they also need to know how best to communicate a wealth of data and results to medical professionals and the general public alike.
So when it's time to submit new drugs or medical devices for approval, having skilled medical writers at the table can mean the difference between success and returning to the drawing board. But with more than 3,000 medical writer jobs posted in the past 12 months and the BLS forecasting a seven percent increase in demand for technical writers of all stripes, hiring talented medical writers will remain a challenge and should be considered an urgent priority moving forward.
Quality assurance (QA) specialists at life sciences companies today have one core mission: ensuring that the highest standards are upheld across all internal operations. This includes everything from research and development (R&D) to clinical trials and more. As such, QA specialists provide incredible business value by helping companies remain compliant and secure regulatory approval, in addition to driving positive patient outcomes.
Given those tall orders, it's easy to see why opportunities for these professionals are soaring, with nearly 9,000 jobs posted in the previous year alone. Demand is highest in research hubs across California and Texas, and companies in those markets will need to offer compelling compensation and benefits to lure top-performing QA specialists.
As the industry fields rising demand for new drugs and an increasing focus on efficiency, transparency and innovation, competition for top talent will continue to be fierce in the year ahead. And when hiring outcomes are so inextricably linked to business outcomes as they are in this arena, building a strong candidate pipeline becomes even more critical. Forward-thinking companies have already recognized the actions they need to take to get qualified talent to join their ranks — but for those lagging behind, there's a lot of work to be done in 2021 and beyond.
This guide presents nationwide pay information for today's most prevalent and in-demand life sciences positions.
Compensation data for these roles is organized by annual salaries across three levels of professional experience:
entry-level
one year of experience
mid-level
five years of experience
senior-level
10 years of experience
|
| biometrics |
| biostatistician | $85,428 | $105,768 | $136,278 |
| clinical data analyst | $54,918 | $85,428 | $108,819 |
| clinical data manager | $60,003 | $82,377 | $112,887 |
| clinical SAS programmer | $70,173 | $89,496 | $114,921 |
| clinical trial management and operations |
| clinical documentation specialist (eTMF) | $54,329 | $70,304 | $92,350 |
| clinical outsourcing manager | $85,428 | $111,870 | $140,346 |
| clinical project manager (CPM) | $86,445 | $123,057 | $174,924 |
| clinical research associate (CRA) | $56,952 | $111,870 | $144,414 |
| clinical trial associate (CTA) | $54,918 | $82,377 | $105,768 |
| clinical trial manager (CTM) | $81,360 | $117,972 | $230,859 |
| medical director | $175,941 | $276,624 | $356,967 |
| drug safety/pharmacovigilance |
| drug safety physician | $111,870 | $151,533 | $242,046 |
| drug safety specialist | $54,918 | $77,292 | $108,819 |
| medical director | $175,941 | $276,624 | $356,967 |
| medical monitor/reviewer | $91,530 | $134,244 | $170,856 |
| medical and scientific affairs |
| commercial trainer | $48,816 | $65,088 | $95,598 |
| medical affairs project manager | $73,224 | $105,768 | $142,380 |
| medical information specialist | $54,918 | $79,326 | $114,921 |
| medical science liaison | $131,193 | $161,703 | $198,315 |
| medical writing |
| document manager | $44,748 | $55,935 | $66,105 |
| editor/formatter | $71,190 | $84,411 | $93,564 |
| medical writer | $76,275 | $117,972 | $148,482 |
| quality control reviewer | $46,782 | $67,122 | $103,734 |
| quality, process and validation |
| process development engineer | $75,258 | $110,853 | $136,278 |
| quality assurance auditor | $61,020 | $105,768 | $128,142 |
| quality assurance specialist | $41,400 | $62,000 | $74,600 |
| quality control analyst | $51,867 | $72,207 | $99,666 |
| quality engineer | $54,918 | $91,530 | $118,989 |
| regulatory affairs |
| regulatory advertising and promotions associate | $47,799 | $63,054 | $84,411 |
| regulatory affairs CMC associate | $43,731 | $72,716 | $93,564 |
| regulatory affairs labeling associate | $73,224 | $105,768 | $142,380 |
| regulatory affairs operations associate | $54,918 | $77,292 | $101,700 |
| regulatory affairs publishing associate | $43,731 | $72,716 | $93,564 |
| regulatory affairs strategy associate | $91,530 | $116,955 | $137,295 |
| research and design systems |
| business analyst | $69,156 | $91,530 | $118,989 |
| clinical database programmer | $66,105 | $87,462 | $110,853 |
| clinical systems project manager | $76,275 | $99,666 | $146,448 |
| validation analyst | $69,156 | $90,513 | $117,972 |
| supply chain management |
| clinical trial supply manager | $70,173 | $86,445 | $111,870 |
| inventory management specialist | $48,816 | $61,020 | $88,479 |
| material documentation coordinator | $45,765 | $62,037 | $81,360 |
| packaging requirements specialist | $70,173 | $88,479 | $106,785 |
|
| chemical |
| analytical chemist | $47,799 | $79,326 | $99,666 |
| applications engineer | $68,139 | $89,496 | $114,921 |
| biochemical engineer | $57,969 | $85,428 | $106,785 |
| chemical engineer | $73,224 | $94,581 | $130,176 |
| compounder | $36,612 | $46,782 | $54,918 |
| formulator | $61,020 | $82,377 | $113,904 |
| ISO auditor | $52,884 | $74,241 | $95,598 |
| laboratory manager | $53,901 | $80,343 | $116,955 |
| laboratory technician | $35,595 | $45,765 | $67,122 |
| materials engineer | $73,224 | $89,496 | $110,853 |
| metallurgist | $73,224 | $86,445 | $103,734 |
| plant manager | $87,462 | $130,176 | $181,026 |
| process engineer | $67,122 | $94,581 | $124,074 |
| product development chemist | $50,850 | $84,411 | $109,836 |
| product development scientist | $50,850 | $84,411 | $109,836 |
| quality control engineer | $57,969 | $79,835 | $106,785 |
| environmental science |
| analytical chemist | $47,799 | $79,326 | $99,666 |
| biochemical oxygen demand specialist | $55,935 | $73,224 | $86,445 |
| elemental analyst | $53,901 | $68,139 | $94,581 |
| environmental engineer | $69,156 | $88,479 | $108,819 |
| environmental health and safety specialist | $44,748 | $69,156 | $98,649 |
| environmental microbiologist | $52,884 | $64,071 | $85,428 |
| environmental scientist | $61,020 | $79,326 | $106,785 |
| field monitor/sampler/tester | $33,561 | $47,799 | $70,173 |
| industrial hygienist | $60,003 | $78,818 | $103,734 |
| laboratory technician | $35,595 | $45,765 | $67,122 |
| nondestructive tester | $45,765 | $52,884 | $74,241 |
| quality assurance technologist | $53,901 | $73,224 | $84,411 |
| safety coordinator | $51,867 | $58,986 | $80,343 |
| water quality technician | $43,731 | $61,020 | $88,479 |
| food science |
| analytical chemist | $47,799 | $79,326 | $99,666 |
| biochemical engineer | $57,969 | $85,428 | $106,785 |
| bioengineer | $55,935 | $71,190 | $90,513 |
| chemical engineer | $73,224 | $94,581 | $130,176 |
| flavorist | $51,867 | $73,224 | $98,649 |
| food scientist | $52,884 | $83,394 | $117,972 |
| food technologist | $49,833 | $96,615 | $126,108 |
| HACCP compliance manager | $62,037 | $88,479 | $123,057 |
| ISO auditor | $52,884 | $74,241 | $95,598 |
| laboratory technician | $35,595 | $45,765 | $67,122 |
| materials engineer | $73,224 | $89,496 | $110,853 |
| microbiologist | $44,748 | $64,071 | $91,530 |
| plant manager | $87,462 | $130,176 | $181,026 |
| process engineer | $67,122 | $94,581 | $124,074 |
| project manager | $84,411 | $110,853 | $146,448 |
| quality engineer | $54,918 | $91,530 | $118,989 |
| formulation and drug development |
| analytical chemist | $47,799 | $79,326 | $99,666 |
| microbiologist | $44,748 | $64,071 | $91,530 |
| molecular/cell biologist | $43,731 | $58,986 | $84,411 |
| research assistant | $32,544 | $45,765 | $67,122 |
| research associate | $56,952 | $82,377 | $111,870 |
| research scientist | $68,139 | $121,023 | $141,363 |
| personal care |
| analytical chemist | $47,799 | $79,326 | $99,666 |
| cosmetic chemist | $41,697 | $55,935 | $84,411 |
| formulation scientist | $61,020 | $93,564 | $147,465 |
| fragrance technician | $35,595 | $42,602 | $66,105 |
| laboratory technician | $35,595 | $45,765 | $67,122 |
| materials engineer | $73,224 | $89,496 | $110,853 |
| microbiologist | $44,748 | $64,071 | $91,530 |
| organic chemist | $47,799 | $63,054 | $86,445 |
| process engineer | $67,122 | $94,581 | $124,074 |
| product development chemist | $50,850 | $84,411 | $109,836 |
| product development manager | $72,207 | $110,853 | $164,754 |
| quality assurance inspector | $35,595 | $51,867 | $76,275 |
| quality engineer | $54,918 | $91,530 | $118,989 |
| regulatory affairs specialist | $70,173 | $97,632 | $127,125 |
| regulatory compliance chemist | $50,850 | $84,411 | $109,836 |
| sensory evaluator | $52,884 | $74,241 | $95,598 |
| toxicologist | $60,003 | $91,530 | $128,142 |
For salary information and titles specific to your region, contact your local Randstad representative today.
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