How To Become An Expert Medical Writer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an expert medical writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Cathy Irwin Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an expert medical writer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $47.73 an hour? That's $99,286 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 3,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an expert medical writer?

Cathy Irwin Ph.D.

Professor of English, University of La Verne

Because of the pandemic, entering the workforce has been hard for many. At the same time, many employers have moved online and are meeting with clients and customers through Zoom and other online platforms. As a result, employers now, more than ever, need employees who have excellent communication skills.

English majors from La Verne graduate with excellent writing and critical thinking skills. As a result, they do have opportunities after they graduate. Many of them are hired in jobs because of their writing and editing skills. A large percentage of students decide to go to graduate school. They want to serve their communities, so they become teachers, librarians, lawyers, and officers in non-profits or the city sector.

The medical field is also starting to welcome students from the humanities because they are looking for well-rounded, articulate, and compassionate people. If students with a humanities degree want to go into the health or medical sector, they can apply to one-year post-baccalaureate programs that lead to medical school.

ScoreExpert Medical WriterUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $99,286

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%

Asian 8.57%

Black or African American 6.44%

Hispanic or Latino 7.63%

Unknown 4.95%

White 72.06%

Gender

female 65.93%

male 34.07%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress level

4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an expert medical writer

Explore expert medical writer education requirements

Most common expert medical writer degrees

Bachelor's

50.7 %

Master's

16.2 %

Doctorate

12.7 %

Start to develop specific expert medical writer skills

Skills	Percentages
Facebook	32.46%
FDA	22.79%
IV	20.11%
Clinical Trials	18.70%
SEO	2.27%

Complete relevant expert medical writer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New expert medical writers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an expert medical writer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real expert medical writer resumes.

Research expert medical writer duties and responsibilities

Manage, and assist in the recruiting activities of, CRO resources preparing regulatory documents on behalf of APGD.
Organize and consolidate information into standard report formats, preparing and proofreading correspondence and documents in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Fda-Regulate environment (CFR regulations).

Prepare your expert medical writer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your expert medical writer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an expert medical writer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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