Contents
- 1 Paid Clinical Trials in Philadelphia
- 2 Demographic Data Indicates Clinical Trial Availability
- 3 Interpreting Philadelphia Demographic Information to Find Paid Trials
- 4 Philadelphia CROs Healthy Participants Can Explore
- 5 Medical Trends in Philadelphia That Impact the Science
- 6 Philadelphia Paid Clinical Trial FAQs
- 7 Philadelphia Trial Opportunities For a Multitude of Healthy Volunteers
Paid Clinical Trials in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is one of the strongest research cities in the country, and unusually spread across institutions. As of July 2026, 1,844 studies are actively recruiting here, according to ClinicalTrials.gov, run by the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Jefferson, Fox Chase, and Temple.
The first thing you’re going to want to look for is a CRO. A CRO is a Clinical Research Organization. These can be small or large, but what they all have in common is a funded aim toward advancing medical science. Sometimes they do a study with just a handful of participants, sometimes there are a thousand volunteers. It depends on the CRO, the location, and what is being studied. In Philadelphia and the surrounding metro area, there are approximately 507 CROs.
It’s hard to pin down the exact number because people define what is and isn’t “Philadelphia” differently. In order to determine what opportunities are available, you need to know how great the demand for volunteers at CROs is. Experts say 1 out of 200 people in the US must be consistently involved in clinical research to meaningfully advance the science. Meanwhile, the population of Philadelphia “proper” is 1,619,355. When you factor in the Combined Statistical Area (CSA), that number jumps up to 7,366,346.
This gives us enough data to plot a statistical “range” of potential CRO opportunities. With this information, we can assume there are between 8,096 and 36,831 individual opportunities in Philadelphia and the surrounding CSA. That means each of the approximately 507 CROs in the region provides approximately 15 to 72 potential volunteer opportunities for individuals. Following we’ll present a little more information to help you narrow this range down further.
Quick Facts: Paid Clinical Trials in Philadelphia
- Actively recruiting studies (July 2026): 1,844 (ClinicalTrials.gov)
- Typical compensation: $50–$100 per completed outpatient visit; residential Phase 1 studies pay more (see highest paid clinical trials)
- Cost to participate: $0 — study care and visits are covered by the sponsor
- Worth knowing: Penn and CHOP sit side by side in University City, so a single trip can cover screening at both
- Statewide options: paid clinical trials in Pennsylvania
Where Philadelphia trials actually run
We sampled recruiting Philadelphia studies on ClinicalTrials.gov in July 2026. The sites running the most trials:
| Research site | Trials sampled |
|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania (incl. HUP) | 126 |
| Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia | 61 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | 57 |
| Fox Chase Cancer Center | 34 |
Penn is where CAR-T cell therapy was developed, and the city remains a center for cell and gene therapy trials that run in few other places. CHOP is among the largest pediatric research hospitals anywhere, and Fox Chase and Jefferson add substantial oncology programs.
Demographic Data Indicates Clinical Trial Availability
CROs have to conduct studies based on available participants. This indicates that paid clinical trials nearby for healthy volunteers will generally be rooted in local population demographics. We’re going to focus on just the demographics of Philadelphia proper, surrounding areas will differ slightly.
In Philadelphia, those of African descent constitute 41.36% of the population, whites are 39.33%, Asians are 7.42%, other races are 7.27%, and those with 2 or more races in their ethnic background are 4.26% of the population. The median age is 33.1, women are 52.65% of the population, and men are 47.35%.
Interpreting Philadelphia Demographic Information to Find Paid Trials
Demographic data for Philadelphia proper indicates that, in the city, paid clinical trials for healthy volunteers will be most available for black females in their early thirties, followed by black males in the same category, then whites, Asians, and others. Generally, though, studies need diverse participants from all walks of life.
Philadelphia CROs Healthy Participants Can Explore
To get an idea the sort of healthy volunteer paid clinical trials in Philadelphia, we’ve compiled a list from the center, north, and south of the Philadelphia CSA:
- Xperiment Services in Philadelphia Proper
- WuXi Advanced Therapies in South Philadelphia
- Albert Einstein Health Network Slightly to the North
Medical Trends in Philadelphia That Impact the Science
Philadelphia has been a worldwide medical hub for generations. By involving yourself in paid clinical research trials, you could be part of many key medical advances. Consider these historical contributions from Philadelphia:
- The Nation’s First Hospital
- Discovery of the “Philadelphia Chromosome”
- Ongoing Data-Driven Breakthroughs for Children
Philadelphia Paid Clinical Trial FAQs
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How much do paid clinical trials pay here?
Most outpatient studies pay $50–$100 per completed visit, plus travel reimbursement. Residential Phase 1 studies pay considerably more. The exact amount appears in the consent form before you enroll.
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Where in Philadelphia are most trials located?
University City in West Philadelphia holds the largest cluster, with Penn’s hospital and CHOP on adjacent blocks. Jefferson is in Center City, Fox Chase is in the Northeast, and Temple is in North Philadelphia. All are reachable by SEPTA.
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What kinds of studies is Philadelphia known for?
Cell and gene therapy in particular. CAR-T therapy was developed at Penn, and the city continues to run early-phase trials in that area. Philadelphia is also strong in pediatric research through CHOP and in oncology through Fox Chase and Jefferson.
Philadelphia Trial Opportunities For a Multitude of Healthy Volunteers
If you need to supplement your income, clinical paid research opportunities for healthy volunteers represents a fine way to do so. Philadelphia has been changing the world for hundreds of years, and you can be part of that celebrated tradition.
