Science & Clinical in 2025
A sector overview
Based on recent industry snapshot reports generated from Lightcast data, certain Science & Clinical job markets are on the brink of revolutionary transformations, primed with breakthroughs and innovations that beckon seasoned professionals to redefine the future of healthcare. Employers will see increased demand across Biologics, Small Molecules, Medical Devices, and Diagnostics. Before we explore each of those areas, for context, let’s begin with a snapshot of the entire Research & Development sector within Biotechnology.
Overall R&D supply.
Across the entire U.S. Biotech R&D sector, it’s estimated that 290,361 people are working today in roles across the spectrum of science & clinical work. That total expects to grow to 335,733 by 2028, an increase of 15.6%.
Other demographic factors to consider when making your hiring plans include:
Retirement risk – about 56,514 of current workers are 55+ years old (19.4%)
Racial diversity – about 115,804 of current workers are racially diverse (39.9%)
Gender diversity – about 141,595 of current workers are female (48.8%)
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One of the things that the Maryland Tech Council is working with...is creating an entry-level workforce so that they can go into a manufacturing environment without having a college degree.
Kelly Schulz, CEO of the Maryland Tech CouncilReSETTing Tomorrow podcast
Overall R&D demand.
Total demand across the sector, counted as the job posting activity, totaled roughly 30,587 for the past 12 months. Also:
A total of 730 employers accounted for the postings.
Job postings lasted about 29 days online on average before removal.
Average earnings per job was about $145,000, among the highest for all occupations.
With average demand of 2,549 per month for the past year, top job titles posted include:
Exploring some hyper-specialties that cross R&D.
In the next sections, we’ll examine some of the most in-demand job titles that we’ve identified in several high-growth sectors across R&D. For instance, the advent of precision medicine, cutting-edge wearable technologies, and AI-powered diagnostic tools will require a workforce adept in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and advanced research methodologies.
Competition for science and clinical roles is expected to remain high, with the average job posting garnering around 120 applications and staying live for approximately 50 days. The supply and demand dynamics reveal that some critical positions are more sought after than others, such as Research Scientists, Clinical Research Associates, and Quality Control Specialists.
In this competitive and ever-evolving field, staying ahead requires not just expertise, but also a strategic vision to navigate the complexities introduced by evolving regulations and technological advancements. For employers who need talent in regulatory affairs, bioprocessing, or molecular diagnostics, the 2025 job market is set to be a challenge. But understanding these dynamics will allow you to align your timelines and strategies effectively in each of our highlighted sectors.
The 2025 hiring landscape is set to be dynamic and highly competitive, driven by rapid technological advancements across key industries. Businesses across these STEM-focused fields will face significant challenges in sourcing specialized professionals. Meeting these demands will take a clear understanding of industry trends and a proactive approach to securing the right talent before your competitors do.
Navigating these hiring challenges on your own can result in costly delays, mismatched hires, and missed opportunities. That’s where finding a specialized hiring partner becomes critical. At Kelly Science & Clinical, we speak your industry’s language and deliver highly qualified candidates, including the 35% of passive talent in our pipeline that's not searchable on job boards. We specialize in screening and matching experts to your exact requirements, ensuring you gain access to the best talent while staying within your budget and timelines.
Flexible hiring solutions are crucial in today’s fast-evolving job market. Whether your needs are permanent staffing, SOW-based expertise, or scaling up during periods of growth—we offer customized workforce strategies that adapt to your business goals. From accessing high-demand fields like autonomous vehicles to enhancing quality assurance in manufacturing, we make sure you stay ahead with the right professionals. Our agile statement of work (SOW) solution— statementworX—customizes to your business needs across a suite of models. Those can range from the delivery of non-full-time resources for sustained periods of time, to mission critical projects with defined deliverables, to technical solutions delivery.
The cost of not evolving with hiring trends is clear—a struggle to retain top talent, higher turnover rates, and increased financial impact. On the other hand, adopting forward-thinking practices like building diverse talent pipelines and creating inclusive and flexible work environments sets your organization apart as a leader. Kelly can help you leverage these strategies to attract and retain top-tier professionals while driving innovation and long-term success.
Partner with us to secure science & clinical experts who can fuel your advancements. The future of work is fast approaching. Don’t wait—reach out today and start preparing for growth in 2025 and beyond.
Lightcast data is a hybrid dataset derived from official government sources such as the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Leveraging the unique strengths of each source, our data modeling team creates an authoritative dataset that captures more than 99% of all workers in the United States. This core offering is then enriched with data from online social profiles, resumés, and job postings to give you a complete view of the workforce.
For more insight on these industry segments and more, check out ReSETTing Tomorrow—the podcast that’s your gateway to the thrilling world of STEM!
