Clinical trial coordinator salary: state and industry differences explained

What is a clinical trial coordinator salary?

A clinical trial coordinator salary is the annual or hourly pay for professionals who manage the day-to-day operations of clinical research studies. These roles are common in hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies across Australia. Because the position sits at the intersection of health care and research, pay can vary widely depending on the employer, location, and the specific award or agreement that applies.

To understand where a clinical trial coordinator salary sits against the national line, we use the Salary Index. The index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which from the latest ABS data is $108,352 per year (based on $2,083.70 per week). A salary of $82,000 – the average reported on Glassdoor – gives an index of about 76. That is well below the national average, but it is also above the national minimum wage index of 48.2 ($52,255 per year).

State differences in clinical trial coordinator pay

State-level earnings benchmarks from the ABS show that where you work matters. The index for each state reflects overall ordinary-time earnings, not specific job rates, but they give a sense of the local pay environment.

• Western Australia has an index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised). Clinical trial coordinators in Perth may earn above the national average for the role, especially if employed by mining or resource-linked research organisations.
• ACT leads at 109.9 ($119,090). Government and university roles in Canberra often pay higher salaries, and clinical trial coordinators in the ACT may see index figures closer to 80 or 85.
• Victoria sits at 98 ($106,137) and New South Wales at 101.2 ($109,658). Melbourne and Sydney have large health and research sectors, and recent Glassdoor submissions show experienced coordinators in Melbourne earning between $108,000 and $125,000 – well above the average.
• Tasmania has the lowest state index at 88.6 ($96,008). Clinical trial coordinator salaries in Hobart or Launceston are likely to be lower, possibly in the $70,000–$80,000 range.
• Queensland (97.9), South Australia (94.6), and Northern Territory (95.2) fall near or below the national line, so pay for this role in those states may be around the average or slightly lower.

These state figures are broad benchmarks. Actual clinical trial coordinator salaries depend on the specific employer and the demand for research staff in that region.

Industry context for clinical trial coordinator salary

The industry where a clinical trial coordinator works also influences pay. The health care and social assistance sector has an index of 97.8 – slightly below the national average. Many clinical trial coordinators are employed by hospitals or health research institutes, so their pay may align with that industry index. However, if the role is in a pharmaceutical company or a contract research organisation, it may fall under the professional, scientific and technical services industry, which has a higher index of 114.7. That could push the salary index for a coordinator closer to 85 or 90.

Retail trade and accommodation have much lower indices (75.9 and 72.5), but clinical trial coordinators rarely work in those sectors. The mining industry index of 154.7 is not relevant unless the research involves occupational health in mining.

Award coverage and minimum rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list the Health Professionals and Support Services Award as a possible award for clinical trial coordinators. However, the award does not have a specific classification for this role. Depending on duties and qualifications, a coordinator might be classified as a Health Professional Level 1 or 2, or under a different award if employed by a university (e.g., Higher Education Industry – Academic Staff – Award).

From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The entry-level award floor for some health classifications is around $25.74 per hour, which annualises to about $53,539 for a 40-hour week – index 49.4. Most clinical trial coordinators earn well above this, but it sets a baseline. Casual employees receive a loading of at least 25%, bringing the casual rate to about $33.05 per hour for the national minimum wage.

Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, so an $82,000 salary attracts $9,840 in super, making total remuneration $91,840. After tax and the 2% Medicare levy, a resident earning $82,000 would take home roughly $63,000–$64,000, depending on HELP repayments or other adjustments.

Experience and career progression

Glassdoor data shows clear experience bands:

• 1–3 years: $72,000–$84,000 (index 66–78)
• 4–6 years: $87,000–$125,000 (index 80–115)
• 7–9 years: $98,000–$113,000 (index 90–104)

These ranges suggest that experienced coordinators in major cities can exceed the national average. The top 10% of earners reported up to $111,200, which is an index of 103 – slightly above the national line.

How to use the Salary Index for this role

The Salary Index helps you compare any pay figure to the national benchmark. For a clinical trial coordinator salary of $82,000, the calculation is:

$82,000 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = 75.7

That means the role pays about 76% of the typical full-time adult earnings. If you are considering a job in Western Australia, you might expect a higher index; in Tasmania, a lower one. The Salary Index page explains the methodology in detail. You can also explore state benchmarks and industry benchmarks to see how different factors affect pay.

For award-specific minimum rates, refer to the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. If you are negotiating a salary, remember that the index is a guide, not a guarantee. Your qualifications, the employer’s funding, and the complexity of the trials all play a part.

Summary

A clinical trial coordinator salary in Australia typically falls between $72,000 and $95,000, with an average around $82,000 (index 76). State and industry differences can shift that figure up or down by 10–20%. The role is not covered by a single clear award classification, so pay is often set by enterprise agreements or market rates. Use the how the index works page to understand the calculations, and check topics for more salary guides.