Paid Clinical Trials in Philadelphia

Candace Kastanis

Written by Candace Kastanis

Chemistry B.S. | UC Davis | Clinical Lab Technician

Updated & Fact Checked 7/30/26

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 siteTrials sampled
University of Pennsylvania (incl. HUP)126
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia61
Thomas Jefferson University57
Fox Chase Cancer Center34

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%.

Follow-up Visit of High Risk Infants
Recruiting
The NICHD Neonatal Research Network's Follow-Up study is a multi-center cohort in which surviving extremely low birth-weight infants born in participating network centers receive neurodevelopmental, neurosensory and functional assessments at 22-26 months corrected age (Infants born prior to July 1, 2012 were seen at 18-22 months corrected age). Data regarding pregnancy and neonatal outcome are collected prospectively. The goal is to identify potential maternal and neonatal risk factors that may... Read More
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 months and 26 months
Trial Updated:
02/11/2025
Locations: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Conditions: Infant, Newborn, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Infant, Premature
Consent for Use of Stored Patient Specimens for Future Testing
Recruiting
The purpose of this study is to obtain informed consent to use stored human biological materials (HBM) (e.g., blood and other tissues) for future studies that may include genetic testing.
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
All
Trial Updated:
09/20/2024
Locations: Univ of Southern California / LA County USC Med Ctr, Los Angeles, California +3 locations
Conditions: HIV Infections
Generic Database of Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Recruiting
The Generic Database (GDB) is a registry of very low birth weight infants born alive in NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN) centers. The GDB collects observational baseline data on both mothers and infants, and the therapies used and outcomes of the infants. The information collected is not specific to a disease or treatment (i.e., it is "generic"). Data are analyzed to find associations and trends between baseline information, treatments, and infant outcome, and to develop future NRN trials.
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
14 days and below
Trial Updated:
02/11/2025
Locations: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Conditions: Infant, Newborn, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Infant, Premature
5-aminolevulinic Acid In Advanced Malignancies
Recruiting
This is a phase 1, open label, dose-escalation, safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic study to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) or recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) of both ALA and RT. Once the MTDs are identified, the cohort providing the highest dose intensity at or below the MTD (if supported by emerging PK and biomarker data) will be selected for an expansion phase for the purpose of refining the safety assessment and assessing preliminary efficacy. The initial dose escalati... Read More
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
02/20/2023
Locations: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Advanced Solid Tumor
CapTem Plus Radioembolization for NET Liver Metastases
Recruiting
Grade 2 neuroendocrine tumors have an intermediate rate of progression following embolotherapy of liver metastases. The combination of capecitabine and temozolomide has been shown to be an active regimen in this disease. Both drugs are radiosensitizers, and in a safety and feasibility study were combined with yttrium-90 radioembolization with acceptable additive toxicities and better than expected response and duration of disease control. This study expands use of this regimen in a Phase 2 inves... Read More
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
10/01/2021
Locations: Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Neuroendocrine Tumor Grade 2, Liver Metastases
Study to Evaluate The Safety and Efficacy of Balovaptan in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke at High Risk of Developing Malignant Brain Edema
Recruiting
This study is designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of balovaptan compared with placebo in participants with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at risk of developing malignant cerebral edema (MCE)
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 80 years
Trial Updated:
04/04/2022
Locations: University of Alabama At Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Conditions: Acute Ischemic Stroke
Influence of Cognition on Activity and Participation in People With Stroke
Recruiting
If a subject agrees to participate, the primary investigators will collect some basic information including age, height, and weight. Intake of some general questions regarding health and each subject will complete some tests that measure walking speed, cognition, and balance. During these tests participants will be asked to stand from a chair, walk up & down a staircase, walk over objects in a forward, backward, and sideways directions, walk around objects in forward and backward directions. Aft... Read More
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
05/22/2022
Locations: University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Stroke, Cognitive Change, Neuroplasticity, Exercise Intervention, Dual Task
CERENOVUS Neurothrombectomy Devices Registry
Recruiting
A post-market registry evaluating the EmboTrap® Revascularization Device and CERENOVUS Large Bore Catheter/ EMBOVAC Aspiration Catheter in acute ischemic stroke patients with confirmed intracranial large vessel occlusion.
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
10/19/2022
Locations: The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Conditions: Cerebral Stroke
Guselkumab vs Golimumab in PsA TNF Inadequate Responder Patients (EVOLUTION)
Recruiting
The trial is a double-blinded randomized study that will examine whether switching to a selective IL23 inhibitor (guselkumab) is more effective than switching to a second TNFi (golimumab) among patients with PsA who have an inadequate response to a TNFi.
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 80 years
Trial Updated:
12/09/2022
Locations: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Psoriatic Arthritis
A Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Idecabtagene Vicleucel With Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy Versus Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy Alone in Adult Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Who Have Suboptimal Response After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Recruiting
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ide-cel with lenalidomide (LEN) maintenance to that of LEN maintenance alone in adult participants with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) who have achieved a suboptimal response post autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
05/01/2024
Locations: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, Arizona
Conditions: Multiple Myeloma

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:


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:


Philadelphia Paid Clinical Trial FAQs

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.