Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California

Clinical Research Associate jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, biopharmaceutical, and medical device sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level CRA I positions through senior and principal roles. The largest hiring clusters are in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers such as Genentech, AstraZeneca, and Medpace have long-standing California operations. Oncology, cardiology, and early-phase clinical trials are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles258+
Top employerIQVIA
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring83
Work type49% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 258+ Clinical Research Associate jobs

Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring
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New 15h ago
Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring
Edwards Lifesciences
California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$108k - $153k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Clinical Research Specialist-RN - Research/Projects - Sharp Mary Birch - FT 0.9 - 8hr Days
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New 17h ago
Clinical Research Specialist-RN - Research/Projects - Sharp Mary Birch - FT 0.9 - 8hr Days
Sharp HealthCare
San Diego, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$59.61 - $86.15/hr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Clinical Research Specialist
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New 17h ago
Clinical Research Specialist
Community Health System
Fresno, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$37.33 - $47.5/hr
Master's degree in health science
10,000+

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Clinical Research Coordinator II - Surgery Chair
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New 20h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator II - Surgery Chair
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$60k - $102k/yr
Bachelor's degree in sociology
10,000+

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Clinical Research Associate II
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New 21h ago
Clinical Research Associate II
Abbott
Alameda, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$82k - $141k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 258+ Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California

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Clinical Research Associate Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Stanford
14 jobs
Carlsbad
12 jobs
Orange
11 jobs
Irvine
9 jobs
Sacramento
7 jobs
Los Alamitos
7 jobs

Clinical Research Associate Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • IQVIA29
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center17
  • Stanford University14
  • Kaiser Permanente12
  • CenExel Clinical Research12

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services12
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals8
  • Education6
  • Consulting & Professional Services4
  • Medical Devices1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research associate jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related health sciences field
  • ACRP or SOCRA certification (CCRA or CCRP) strongly preferred by California employers
  • Minimum one to two years of clinical trial monitoring or site management experience
  • Working knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and 21 CFR requirements
  • Proficiency with electronic data capture systems such as Medidata Rave or Veeva Vault
  • Ability to travel to clinical trial sites throughout California and occasionally out of state

Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research associate in California?

The standard path is a bachelor's degree in a life sciences or health-related field, followed by hands-on clinical trial experience through a site coordinator, clinical data, or research assistant role. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a clinical research associate, but employers across San Diego and the Bay Area strongly favor candidates who hold the Certified Clinical Research Associate credential from ACRP or the CCRP from SOCRA, both of which require documented monitoring experience.

Which companies hire clinical research associates in California?

Employers hiring clinical research associates in California right now include IQVIA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Stanford University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's dense concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters and contract research organizations means new openings appear regularly across both sponsor-side and CRO positions.

Which California cities have the most clinical research associate jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most clinical research associate openings in California right now. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because they are home to the state's highest concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters and research campuses, while Los Angeles draws demand through its large academic medical centers and growing biotech corridor in areas such as Torrance and El Segundo.

Are there remote clinical research associate jobs in California?

Yes, but they are limited. About 51% of clinical research associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the reality that site monitoring requires regular in-person visits to clinical trial locations. The tasks most likely to be handled remotely are remote source document review, study start-up activities, and sponsor team meetings, rather than on-site monitoring visits.

How can I get hired as a clinical research associate in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is a clinical research coordinator or site coordinator role at a California academic medical center or hospital, such as those affiliated with UC San Diego, UCSF, or UCLA Health, which regularly recruit coordinators with no prior monitoring experience. Large CROs with California offices, including ICON and IQVIA, also run associate CRA programs designed for candidates transitioning from coordination or data roles. Completing your ACRP or SOCRA certification while in a coordinator position gives your application a measurable advantage when applying to CRA I openings.

Where can I find and apply to clinical research associate jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical research associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the biopharmaceutical, CRO, and medical device sectors. Search the listings, find the roles that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to each one.

See All 258+ Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California

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