For some people, doing studies is a way to earn some extra money here and there to take a vacation or repair their car. 

But for others, doing studies is a way to earn a living.

Before you decide to quit your job and jump on the study wagon, you should know a few things about the lifestyle of a professional lab rat. 

Yellow represents 30 day washout and other non study periods.  Green represents study days.

Scenario A  

7 studies a year with 30 days off in between studies.  Since large studies are not always available precisely when we want them, this is a typical year for many professionals.  3 long studies and 4 medium studies. 

This chart shows the low, med and high ranges the pay may be.  So given ideal circumstances, using Scenario A, you could earn from $24,000 to $34,000 a year. 

Scenario B

8 studies a year with 30 days off in between studies.  This is another typical year for people who don't like being in house for long periods of time. This is 8 medium studies.

This chart shows the low, med and high ranges the pay may be.  So, given ideal circumstances, using Scenario B, you could earn from $24,000 to $32,000 a year. 

Scenario C

6 studies a year with 30 days off in between studies.  This is less common and can vary from year to year.  If you are lucky enough to get 5 long studies in a year plus 1 additional medium study, you would still make roughly the same money as the other scenarios. 

This chart shows the low, med and high ranges the pay may be.  So, given ideal circumstances, using Scenario C, you could earn from $23,000 to $34,000 a year.

Now it is important to understand that this information is for ideal circumstances and does not factor in holidays, studies you do not make it into on the first try or other periods of inactivity. 

These payments are also estimates and will vary widely from clinic to clinic.  You should expect to make the mid range amount on most studies. 

Also remember that no study is guaranteed. 

Your results may vary!

In order to screen for and complete the amount of studies you need to make a living, you must be on top of things. 

Once you get into a study, you need to start looking for your next study. 

You should screen for your next study midway through your 30 day washout period. 

Under ideal circumstances, you should schedule your next study as close to 30 days from the completion of your last study. 

But never less than 30 days. 

However, there will be times when this won't work out. 

Sometimes you will have longer periods of time between studies than you want. 

This may result in less studies for the year. 

It is important to keep in mind that you will not always get into every study you try out for. 

There will be times when you are a backup and your not used. 

There will be times when you just don't qualify for the study after screening for whatever reason. 

There will be holidays, family vacations and other factors that will limit your schedule and ability to do studies. 

You must be willing to travel when good studies are not available at your preferred (local) clinic.  This means extra expenses (though tax deductible) and extra risk since you don't get paid for screenings or extra for traveling. 

You must be able to deal with disappointment.  Occasionally, studies get postponed or even cancelled.  Nothing is guaranteed.  One day your set to check into a study and the next day your standing in line for a free Grand Slam at Denny's. 

When your not doing a study, you should think about working.  Many people I know have jobs that allow them to knock off for 2 or 3 weeks.  Worst case you can work at day-labor halls, scrounge jobs off craigslist or get work from temp agencies.  Bottom line is that you want to keep busy outside of studies, otherwise you'll just spend money all day. 

Most new studies start between the 1st and 2nd week of January.

Nearly all clinics close down for Thanksgiving and thus do not schedule studies to start or end during that time, though there have been studies that have gone through Thanksgiving. 

Nearly all clinics close down for Christmas and thus do not schedule studies to start or end during that time. 

Most clinics do not have studies scheduled from Christmas to the 1st or 2nd week of January.  Some may have multi-stay studies scheduled during that time, but most will not start new studies. 

However, most clinics do conduct screenings during this time. 

This is my fourth full year doing studies and it's been a bit slower this year.  There are lean times and this time period seems to be one of those times. 

In the four years that I have been doing studies, I have spent an average of 108 nights a year in-house, have had over 1500 blood draws, taken over 750 pills and make an average of $13.68 an hour based on a normal 40 hour a week job.  Unfortunately, I spend about as much as I make so that's bad! 

Exit Strategy     (Top)

At some point, your either going to not like doing studies anymore or you will no longer be eligible to do studies. 

Also, age is a factor.  The main age cut-offs are:

   45 for most studies

   55 for many studies

   65 for some studies

   After 65, healthy Phase I studies will be limited but they do occur!

You should be prepared for this by putting away some of the money you earn.  You may also consider using the time to learn new skills and eventually start your own business.  Many people attend college, first time or going back. 

Now that you know more about the clinical research process, you probably want to know what to do next. 

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