Clinical Data Managers
SOC code 15-2051 · O*NET-SOC 15-2051.02 · Considerable preparation needed · Computer and IT
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Clinical Data Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$120,230
a year
Hourly
$57.80
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$126,800
$60.96 per hour
Middle 50%
$85,660 – $158,880
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$67,240 – $199,130
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
262,440
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Data Scientists”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $67,240
- $32.33/hr
- 25th percentile
- $85,660
- $41.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $120,230
- $57.80/hr
- 75th percentile
- $158,880
- $76.39/hr
- 90th percentile
- $199,130
- $95.74/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+34%
Growing much faster than average
245,900
jobs in 2024
328,300
projected for 2034
About 82,400 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a clinical data manager do?
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.
- Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.
- Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
- Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.
- Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.
- Prepare appropriate formatting to data sets as requested.
- Design forms for receiving, processing, or tracking data.
- Prepare data analysis listings and activity, performance, or progress reports.
How to become a clinical data manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 85% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree85%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5%
- Master's Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a clinical data manager earn?
The national median is $120,230 a year. The full range runs from $67,240 at the 10th percentile to $199,130 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a clinical data manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is clinical data manager in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 34% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.1/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.0/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Administrative2.8/5
- Biology2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Coordination.