Paid Clinical Trials in California
California has 6,480 paid clinical trials enrolling now across cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Search by condition, age, or phase to find compensated research studies accepting participants near you.
Research sites in California include Stanford Medicine, UCLA Health and UCSF, running studies across oncology, cardiology, neurology, and more. The most actively recruiting conditions are Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Obesity, Colorectal Cancer — browse the full list or use the filters to match your diagnosis. Both patients and healthy volunteers may qualify. Most studies offer compensation for time and travel.
Recruiting trial data synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov. Last sync: .
Filter results
6,480 clinical trials
↓ Download CSVAcoustic Resonance Therapy for Treating Empty Nose Syndrome
Dynamic Treatment Regimes for Opioid Use Disorder
Perinatal Peer Support for Veterans With Serious Mental Illness
Behavior Therapy vs Education for Persistent Headache After Mild TBI
Adaptive Cell Phone Support (ACPS)
The Effects of Cannabis on Post Operative Recovery After Radical Cystectomy
Hearing Loss and Brain Health Study
Cochlear Implantation and Social Outcomes
Zipalertinib With Carboplatin and Pemetrexed for the Treatment of Resectable, Stage II-IIIB, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Simplifying Diet Tracking in a Digital Weight Loss Intervention
Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation in Combination With Fludarabine and Melphalan as Conditioning for Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Hematopoietic Cell Transplant in Older Patients With Refractory and Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia and High-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome
A Mobile Health Intervention to Improve Psychosocial Functioning in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms
Testing a Peer-Support Group for Veterans Who Hear Voices
Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Enhance Memory in Aging
Human-centered Injury Thrivorship Pathway for Survivors of Physical Trauma
A Social Network Approach to Improve HIV Prevention and Substance Use Treatment For People Who Use Drugs
Trial of Center-Based Early Start Denver Model vs. Pivotal Response Treatment in Children With Autism
Group PACBT for Depression
A Phase I/II Study of PDC-1421 for Treating Depression in Cancer Patients
Diagnostic DNA Methylation Signature in Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer After Fine-Needle Aspiration in Patients With Thyroid Nodules
Dose-Escalation Study of Artesunate Patients With IPF
Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet in Partial Hospital Program (PHP) Anorexia Nervosa
Novel mRNA-LNP-Based Intratumoral Immunotherapy in Patients With Advanced Malignant Solid Tumors
GYN-AIDE: Gynecologic Oncology Navigation Through AI-Driven Education
Open-label Placebo for Pain Management in Adolescents and Young Adults Undergoing Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy
Improv Music Therapy for Older Adults
Neoadjuvant Botensilimab and Balstilimab for the Treatment of Advanced Resectable Colorectal Cancer NEST3
Locoregional Administration of Genetically Engineered Cells (EGFR/IL13Rα2 Pool-CAR T Cells) for the Treatment of Recurrent or Progressive High-Grade Gliomas
Circadian-Optimized Light Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Melanoma Receiving Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy
Golcadomide in Combination With Rituximab for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Tafasitamab With Acalabrutinib and Venetoclax for the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Biology Guided Therapy Recommendations for Treatment Determination of Hormone Receptor-Positive Advanced, Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer, ENDORSE Trial
Non-covalent BTK Inhibitor Nemtabrutinib in Combination With the CD20 Monoclonal Antibody Rituximab for the Treatment of Marginal Zone Lymphoma
64Cu-DOTA A2 scFv-Fc2 DM With Positron Emission Tomography for the Imaging of Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic PSCA-Expressing Pancreatic Cancer
Neuraxial Ultrasound Device Study
BSB-2002 After Cyclophosphamide and Fludarabine for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients With NPM1 Mutation
PH Weighted Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI-Based Surgical Resection to Improve Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma
Crisis Interventions for Pediatric Providers - Autism Version
Naloxone for Opioid Associated Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest
About research studies in California
California has approximately 6,480 recruiting research studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas. California hosts a dense network of world-class research institutions, including UC San Diego Health, Stanford Medicine, UCLA Health, UCSF, City of Hope, and Scripps Research. The state's thriving biotech corridor and diverse patient population make it a national hub for both early-phase and late-phase clinical research.
Common conditions studied in California
- Breast Cancer (101 active studies). Breast cancer trials evaluate new hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy combinations aimed at improving survival and reducing recurrence.
- Prostate Cancer (79 active studies). Prostate cancer studies test next-generation hormone therapies, PARP inhibitors, and radioligand treatments for both localized and advanced disease.
- Obesity (71 active studies). Obesity trials evaluate GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists, novel metabolic drugs, and combined lifestyle interventions for sustainable weight loss.
- Colorectal Cancer (66 active studies). Colorectal cancer trials explore novel chemotherapy combinations, targeted agents, and immunotherapy for microsatellite-instability-high tumors.
- Cancer (59 active studies). Recruiting Cancer studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.
- Heart Failure (58 active studies). Heart failure trials explore SGLT-2 inhibitors, novel myosin modulators, and device-based therapies for both reduced and preserved ejection fraction.
Leading research sponsors in California
- Stanford University
- University of California, San Francisco
- University of California, Los Angeles
- City of Hope Medical Center
- University of California, San Diego
Local regulations and guidelines
Clinical trials in California are governed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) standards, and federal HIPAA privacy rules. Every study is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to protect participant safety and ensure informed consent. In addition, California-specific protections such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) impose stringent data-privacy requirements on research involving California residents.
Compensation & what to expect
- How payment typically works
- Compensation is most often provided through reloadable electronic study cards or direct deposit, paid out per completed visit rather than as a lump sum. Amounts vary by the time required, the number of visits, and the study's complexity — overnight stays and inpatient pharmacology studies generally pay more than short outpatient surveys. The exact amount is disclosed in writing during informed consent before any visit.
- Healthy volunteers
- Healthy participants aged 18 and older can earn compensation by joining vaccine, pharmacology, and biomarker studies in California. These trials check how a new drug or vaccine behaves in healthy bodies before later-phase testing. Many sites maintain a healthy-volunteer registry so you hear about new opportunities first.
- What's included beyond payment
- Most trials cover study-related medical care at no cost — physical exams, lab work, imaging, the investigational treatment itself, and follow-up visits with the research team. Insurance is not required to participate. Free check-ups and access to specialists are common reasons participants return for additional studies.
- Travel and time
- Many sponsors reimburse travel, parking, mileage, and lost wages for visit days. Long-running studies and trials that require frequent visits often raise stipends accordingly. Ask the study coordinator for the visit schedule and reimbursement policy before you commit.
- Asking about compensation
- Compensation is set per protocol and per site, so figures are not published in trial registries. The fastest way to confirm payment for a specific study is to contact the recruiting site listed on the study record. Coordinators are accustomed to this question and will quote the per-visit and total amounts up front.
How to find a clinical trial in California
Hipa.ai aggregates every recruiting study in California from ClinicalTrials.gov and refreshes the list daily. Use the filters above to narrow by condition, facility, age, phase, or healthy-volunteer eligibility, then click any study title to view full details — eligibility criteria, intervention, location, and sponsor contact information. To enroll, reach out to the central study contact listed on the study detail page; the research coordinator will walk you through the screening process.
Frequently asked questions
How many paid clinical trials are currently recruiting in California?
There are approximately 6,480 recruiting clinical trials in California listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. The number changes weekly as new studies open and others close enrollment.
Do clinical trials in California pay participants?
Most recruiting trials in California compensate participants for their time, travel, and study visits. Compensation varies by sponsor, study phase, and visit requirements — the exact amount is disclosed by the study team during the informed consent process.
Who can participate in a clinical trial in California?
Eligibility depends on the specific study. Each trial defines its own inclusion criteria (age, diagnosis, medical history, prior treatments) and exclusion criteria. Both patients with specific conditions and healthy volunteers can qualify, depending on the study design.
What conditions are most commonly studied in California?
The most common conditions under active study in California include Breast Cancer (101), Prostate Cancer (79), Obesity (71), Colorectal Cancer (66), among many others. Browse the list above to explore every recruiting trial.
Are there clinical trials for healthy volunteers in California?
Yes. Healthy-volunteer studies — often early-phase pharmacology or vaccine trials — recruit in California on an ongoing basis. Use the "Healthy volunteers only" filter above to view trials that accept participants without the study's target condition.
How do I enroll in a clinical trial in California?
Click any study title above to see the full study record, including eligibility criteria, visit schedule, and the study team's contact information. Reach out to the central contact or recruiting site directly — they will guide you through screening and informed consent.