Clinical trial coordinator salary vs the national average
Clinical trial coordinators play a vital role in managing the day-to-day operations of clinical research studies. But where does their pay sit against the broader Australian workforce? The most recent data from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. For a clinical trial coordinator, the typical salary is lower.
According to self-reported salaries on Glassdoor, the average base pay for a clinical trial coordinator in Australia is $80,000 per year. The typical range falls between $72,125 (25th percentile) and $94,725 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching around $111,200. That means most coordinators earn below the national full-time average, though senior roles can close the gap.
How the national benchmarks stack up
The ABS publishes several benchmarks that help put this in context:
- Full-time adult ordinary-time average: $108,352 per year (May 2026)
- Full-time median earnings: about $90,532 per year (August 2025)
- All-employees median earnings: about $74,100 per year (August 2025)
- National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week
A clinical trial coordinator on $80,000 is above the all-employees median and well above the minimum wage, but below both the full-time average and the full-time median. That places the role in the lower half of full-time earnings, though not at the bottom.
What would move this pay above the average?
Several factors can push a clinical trial coordinator's salary above the national full-time average of $108,352:
Experience and seniority – Glassdoor data shows that coordinators with 7–9 years of experience report salaries between $98,000 and $113,000. Those at the top end of that range already exceed the national average. Senior roles such as clinical trial manager or senior project manager in a contract research organisation (CRO) can command significantly higher pay.
Location – State full-time averages vary considerably. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. A clinical trial coordinator working in Canberra or Perth may earn more than the national average, especially if employed by a large hospital or research institute. Conversely, Tasmania's average of $96,008 is below the national average, so coordinators there are less likely to exceed it.
Employer type – Public sector roles (e.g., in universities or public hospitals) tend to pay slightly higher than private sector roles for the same occupation. The ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings for females in the public sector are $2,154.00 per week ($112,008 per year) compared to $1,840.80 in the private sector ($95,722 per year). For males, the public sector average is $2,399.30 ($124,764) versus $2,139.50 ($111,254) in the private sector. Clinical trial coordinators in public hospitals or government research agencies may therefore earn closer to or above the national average.
Qualifications and specialisation – Coordinators with postgraduate qualifications, experience in complex therapeutic areas (oncology, rare diseases), or skills in regulatory submissions may command higher pay. The ABS notes that the highest hourly earnings are for Managers ($69.20) and Professionals ($64.50), so moving into a management track can lift earnings substantially.
What would keep pay below the average?
Conversely, several factors tend to keep clinical trial coordinator salaries below the national average:
Entry-level roles – New graduates or those with 1–3 years of experience typically earn $72,000–$84,000, well below the $108,352 average.
Part-time or casual work – Many clinical trial coordinators work part-time or on fixed-term contracts. The ABS reports that 19% of all employees are casual, and median earnings for all employees ($1,436 per week) are lower than for full-time workers. Part-time coordinators will naturally earn less than the full-time average.
Location in lower-paying states – Tasmania's full-time average of $96,008 is about $12,000 below the national average. Coordinators in Hobart or Launceston are less likely to reach the national line.
Non-profit or academic settings – While public hospitals can pay well, smaller research groups or universities may have tighter budgets, keeping salaries in the lower part of the range.
Tax and take-home pay
For the 2026–27 financial year, a clinical trial coordinator earning $80,000 would fall into the 30% marginal tax bracket (income between $45,001 and $135,000). After the 2% Medicare levy, the effective marginal rate is 32%. The tax-free threshold is $18,200. At $80,000, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is about $17,467, leaving a take-home pay of roughly $62,533 per year, or $1,203 per week. That's still above the all-employees median weekly total earnings of $1,579 (which includes part-time workers) but below the full-time average.
Where to find more information
- Place a salary on the line to see how any salary compares to the national average
- States and territories for a breakdown of full-time averages by state
- Job medians for median earnings by occupation (note: the ABS does not publish a specific median for clinical trial coordinators)
- How the figures are set for details on the ABS methodology
The bottom line
A clinical trial coordinator earning the typical $80,000 is below the national full-time average of $108,352, but above the all-employees median. With experience, a move to a higher-paying state or employer, or a step into management, the role can reach or exceed the average. The ABS does not publish a specific figure for this occupation, so the Glassdoor data provides the best available market snapshot.