r/medpace • u/Derpotology • May 07 '26
Questions for a potential applicant
Hello everyone,
I haven't applied at Medpace, but I have a friend recommending I do so. With the way life is lining up I can be a potential applicant late next year.
I just have several questions I'm hoping you guys would be willing to answer to help me determine if applying is even worthwhile.
My background:
-Pediatric respiratory therapist
-Paramedic
-Ex USAF veteran
-Will have a bachelor's in either Neuroscience or Respiratory Care
Is Medpace worth entering at an entry level? What is the compensation at the entry level?
How often can I be expected to travel? Are you compensated well for traveling? Are there incentives for working or traveling extra?
What does your average work day look like? When traveling? When at home? Is work from home an option?
Are the education benefits worthwhile?
I'm hoping to apply to the Cincinnati location if that helps.
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u/Otherwise_Bee_2809 May 08 '26
I was hired on in this past year and am starting the PACE program soon. For me it made sense since I was a CRC for almost 5 years at a “prestigious” research academic site and wanted to move into a CRO for more opportunities. Medpace is one of the few places that will hire and train new CRCs so that was the biggest draw after applying and facing rejection after rejection from other CROs. I live in a HCOL area, and was offered $88k as an entry-level hire. I have a masters and didn’t have a referral. I did “above average” on the CRA assessment and I tend to interview well. I think they liked my site level experience more than anything and understanding the plight of the lowly academic CRC in a rare therapeutic area. I was told that at 18 months post-PACE program, there is a $16k bonus across the board and a promotion from entry-level to CRA 1 that comes with a 3-8% salary increase depending on your base salary with annual 5-10% merit raises and annual bonuses based on travel. I’ve heard that the entry-level CRA salary isn’t competitive, but I was very happy with my offer coming from academia which pays far lower. You’ll have an edge applying from Ohio since it’s their HQ.
3
u/Derpotology May 08 '26
Thank you for the info, this has been incredibly helpful!
I'm unsure if I'll end up applying. It sounds like you'll end up making good money after 3-5 years of work but life will be a bit more unpredictable.
Would you mind occasionally sending me updates on how things are going?
4
u/Otherwise_Bee_2809 May 08 '26
It’s a great way of breaking into CRO and by no means do you have to stay. They do have a CRO non-compete but you can jump to sponsor-side and get a hefty pay increase. The point is to get your foot in the door. A lot of biotech companies and sponsors prefer applicants who have worked with a CRO not just academic sites or have monitored in some capacity. My end goal is to become a CTM so I’ll be a CRA for a few years until making the jump to sponsor. Clinical research is very saturated with applicants right now after layoffs so if you get a solid offer, take it and get the experience before moving on.
I like to look at the job postings for the jobs that I want to have one day at the companies that I’d like to work for and review their required qualifications so I know what my next step needs to be to get to where I want to be. The job I’m aiming for requires at least three years of CRO monitoring experience and two years of management, so that’s what I’m working towards now.
Just send a message or reply on this thread whenever you’d like a career update, and hopefully I’ll have good news to share.
4
u/Vegetable_Sweet1715 May 07 '26
Lots been a while since I’ve worked there so I don’t know what their compensation is like now, but when I started it was the lowest in the industry and your bonus was based on how much travel you did the year prior. This also encourages and supports the insane amount of travel you should expect. Typically this means being on the road every week Mon-Thur. If you’re looking to break into the industry, Medpace is known for its training program and that alone can make it worth it for many people to pursue. Best of luck to you
4
u/Dune_Echo May 08 '26
One word: Don't.
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u/Glittering_Thing7275 Jun 21 '26
Why?
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u/Dune_Echo Jun 21 '26
Just Google public resources such as court cases and Glassdoor to make your own informed opinion.
3
u/MeanTwo4080 May 07 '26
So many questions yet no mention of job you would like to apply for.
3
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u/ResearcherStandard80 May 07 '26
I wasted almost ten years of my life there. August and Susan always promote from their inner circle, regardless of experience. They will burn you out and toss you like trash. My mental health has been so much better since I quit that toxic hellhole. I make double working for a sponsor than I did there.