Image that illustrates Clinical trial leader

Clinical trial leader

65 600 kr

Pharmacologists and biomedical scientists

40 500 - 76 400 kr / month

Women earn 88% of what men do.

Naturvetenskapligt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Clinical trial leader

Average salary 65 600 kr
Males 72 200 kr
Females 63 600 kr

What does a clinical trial manager do – tasks and work environment

A clinical trial manager is responsible for planning, executing, and following up on clinical trials of new drugs or medical treatments. Tasks include coordinating between various stakeholders such as doctors, researchers, authorities, and sponsors, as well as ensuring that studies comply with both national and international regulations. The work also involves monitoring data collection, analyzing results, and reporting findings to relevant parties. The role requires meticulous documentation, high integrity, and the ability to handle complex projects under time pressure, often in an office setting with laboratory or clinical visits.

Salary development over time

The salary for a clinical trial manager has shown clear changes over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 59,400 SEK per month. In 2023, the average decreased to 56 100 SEK, representing a reduction of about 5.6%. This decline can partly be explained by shifts in market balance and available projects. In 2024, the average salary increased sharply to 65 600 SEK, a rise of over 17% compared to the previous year. This positive trend is linked to increased demand for qualified professionals in clinical trials, as well as larger investments in pharmaceutical development and biotech. The salary development also reflects that the profession requires high education levels and specialized experience, which has driven up wages as competition for competent trial managers has intensified.

Clinical trial manager salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 65 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 40,500 SEK/month (female, private employee)
  • Highest salary: 76,400 SEK/month (male, private employee)
  • Hourly wage (average): 395 SEK/hour
  • Women: 63 600 SEK/month
  • Men: 72 200 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 88 % of what men earn

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a clinical trial manager usually involves higher education in biomedicine, pharmacology, or related natural sciences. Many employers require a bachelor's or master's degree, and previous experience in clinical studies or drug development is advantageous. Supplementary courses in GCP (Good Clinical Practice) and project management are common requirements.

  • Formal education: Bachelor's (3 years) or master's degree (5 years) in biomedicine, pharmacy, medicine, or similar
  • Certifications: GCP/certificates and any specialized courses in clinical trials
  • Internships: Internships or traineeships in pharmaceutical industry or academic research
  • Prerequisites: Scientific background and good command of English
  • Tips: Engagement in research projects and networking increase employment opportunities

Clinical trial managers often work internationally and collaborate with research teams in multiple countries, requiring both cultural understanding and good communication skills. The profession offers insight into the latest medical research and involves working with innovative treatments early on. Handling complex ethical issues and regulatory requirements is a natural part of the daily routine.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Clinical trial managers are often offered perks such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work options, and occupational pensions. Other common benefits include professional development, extra vacation days, and sometimes bonuses based on project results.

Competition and challenges

The competition for roles as a clinical trial manager is high, especially among those with specialized experience and advanced education. The industry demands continuous training and updates on regulations and technical solutions. Challenges include managing large amounts of data, coordinating international collaborations, and ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. Stress levels can be high at times, especially around deadlines and inspections. However, demand for experienced trial managers remains strong, providing good opportunities for advancement for those who are dedicated and adaptable.

Tips for aspiring clinical trial managers

To succeed as a clinical trial manager, it is important to combine meticulousness with strong communication skills, as the role involves close dialogue with researchers and authorities. Being organized helps when handling many documents and processes simultaneously. Analytical thinking aids in interpreting research data and solving problems during projects. Flexibility is valuable since tasks can vary greatly depending on the project and partners. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new things is appreciated by employers, as is the ability to work independently. Finally, ethical awareness and integrity are crucial in a role where patient safety is central.

Key facts about clinical trial managers

  • Salary range: 40,500–76,400 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 65 600 SEK/month
  • Education level: Bachelor's or master's in biomedicine/pharmacy
  • Occupational group: Pharmacologists and biomedicine specialists
  • Number of job openings: 143 within the occupational group

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a clinical trial manager, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as senior trial manager, project manager in drug development, or specialist in regulatory affairs. Many choose to move into international positions or work in education and mentoring of new trial managers. According to the Employment Service, no exact forecast exists for this profession, but demand among pharmacologists and biomedicine specialists remains stable, with 143 registered job openings. The industry benefits from increased investment in medical research and drug development, indicating good prospects for those seeking growth in the field.

Frequently asked questions about clinical trial managers

  • What does a clinical trial manager earn?
    - The average is 65 600 SEK per month, with a range between 40,500 and 76,400 SEK depending on experience, gender, and employment type.
  • What education is required to become a clinical trial manager?
    - A bachelor's or master's degree in biomedicine, pharmacy, or similar is required, often supplemented with GCP certifications.
  • Are there gender pay gaps?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 63 600 SEK and men 72 200 SEK, which means women earn 88 % of men's salaries.
  • What is the job market like for clinical trial managers?
    - There is steady demand within the profession, with 143 job openings registered, although no precise forecast exists.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Precision, communication skills, analytical thinking, and flexibility are particularly important for success.
  • Which employers hire clinical trial managers?
    - Pharmaceutical companies, CROs, university hospitals, and research institutes are common employers.
  • What does an hourly wage mean for a clinical trial manager?
    - The average is 395 SEK per hour for hourly employment, based on an average of 166 hours worked per month.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Clinical trial leader is 76400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 67600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Clinical trial leader is 40500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 42800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 45600 kr 46200 kr
35-44 64100 kr 65700 kr
45-54 72600 kr 75200 kr
55-64 72500 kr 75800 kr
Snitt 88% 63700 kr 65600 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Clinical trial leader has the SSYK code 2133, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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