How to hire a freelance medical writer

How to hire a freelance medical writer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freelance medical writer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a freelance medical writer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freelance medical writer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The freelance medical writer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a freelance medical writer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a freelance medical writer that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of freelance medical writers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Freelance Medical Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Freelance Medical Writer	Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels.	$31-68
   Writer	A writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry... Show more	$19-51
   Contributing Writer	A contributing writer is responsible for contributing content to a publication or a specific client, typically on a freelance basis. Contributing writers must have a strong command of their language and extensive understanding of the topics assigned to them... Show more	$16-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Literature Reviews
   • Medical Communications
   • Medical Writing
   • Proofread
   • Literature Searches
   • Scientific Content
   • Press Releases
   • CME
   • FDA
   • Website Content
   • Content Development
   • Scientific Publications
   • Clinical Study Reports
   • Blog Posts

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage, and assist in the recruiting activities of, CRO resources preparing regulatory documents on behalf of APGD.
   • Create content relate to recent FDA approvals and current medical research.
   • Organize and consolidate information into standard report formats, preparing and proofreading correspondence and documents in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
   • Fda-Regulate environment (CFR regulations).

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freelance medical writer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A freelance medical writer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, freelance medical writers' average salary in south dakota is 49% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freelance medical writers 54% less than senior-level freelance medical writers.
   • Certifications. A freelance medical writer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a freelance medical writer's salary.

   Average freelance medical writer salary

   $96,709yearly

   $46.49 hourly rate

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   Entry-level freelance medical writer salary

   $65,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 8, 2025

4. Writing a freelance medical writer job description

   A freelance medical writer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a freelance medical writer job description:

   Freelance medical writer job description example

   GoodRx is America's healthcare marketplace. Each month, millions of people visit goodrx.com to find reliable health information and discounts for their healthcare - and we've helped people save $35 billion since 2011. We provide prescription discounts that are accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies in the U.S., as well as telehealth services including doctor visits and lab tests. Our services have been positively reviewed by Good Morning America, The New York Times, NBC News, AARP, and many others.
   
   Our goal is to help Americans find convenient and affordable healthcare. We offer solutions for consumers, employers, health plans, and anyone else who shares our desire to provide affordable prescriptions to all Americans.
   
   We're committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company and industry. That's why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of the best and brightest from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has a seat at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunities to excel.
   
   With that said, research shows that women and other underrepresented groups apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria. GoodRx is committed to leveling the playing field, and we encourage women, people of color, those in the LGBTQ+ communities, and Veterans to apply for positions even if they don't necessarily check every box outlined in the job description. Please still get in touch - we'd love to connect and see if you could be good for the role!
   
   GoodRx is seeking freelance pharmacist writers to contribute clinical content across a number of therapeutic areas in conjunction with our Editorial team. We support both a health blog, as well as a number of condition-focused information centers.
   
   We are looking for candidates with excellent written and oral communication skills who can draw on their experiences to write medical articles for a consumer audience. You will need to be able to combine your real-life practical experience alongside in-depth reviews of the current scientific evidence and drug labeling to provide engaging, readable, and digestible pieces.
   
   You must be appropriately licensed and not previously or currently involved in any regulatory board, agency inquiry, or professional liability policy claim.
   We are open to remote locations.
   
   About the role:
   As a pharmacist freelance writer, you will be joining forces with a small team of pharmacists and physicians to develop pharmacy-related editorial content. You will use your clinical experience and in-depth knowledge of medications to craft content on topics including, but not limited to, head-to-head drug comparisons, drug interactions, and drug class comparisons.
   
   You will use your clinical experience and in-depth knowledge of medications to ensure the content is engaging, accurate, and up-to-date. You will combine this information into easy-to-read articles that can be used by people to inform decisions about their health.
   
   All assignments will require the writers to closely follow our detailed style and sourcing guidelines and to focus on empathetic and inclusive language. Experience with medical content is desirable.
   Articles are typically about 800 to 1,200 words, with pay set at $500 per piece. The number and kind of pieces may vary according to your availability, expertise, and interest. We will initially work on a trial basis and then discuss regular contributions.
   
   We require writers to adhere closely to our style and sourcing guidelines, as well as to use empathetic and inclusive language. Experience with writing consumer-facing pharmacy content is a must.
   Skills & Qualifications: Excellent written English and communication skills Experience writing for a non-clinical audience Meticulous attention to detail Ability to work independently Ability to read and interpret research studies and drug label information Ability to simplify complex clinical conceptsA passion for making an impact in real people's lives with meaningful content and information
   Requirements:PharmD or BS in PharmacyActive pharmacist license in any U.S. state that is in good standing
   Please include the following with your application:
   Resume or CVA short cover letter outlining your interest
   Three to four consumer-oriented, pharmacy writing samples
   
   GoodRx is America's healthcare marketplace. The company offers the most comprehensive and accurate resource for affordable prescription medications in the U.S., gathering pricing information from thousands of pharmacies coast to coast, as well as a telehealth marketplace for online doctor visits and lab tests. Since 2011, Americans with and without health insurance have saved $35 billion using GoodRx and million consumers visit goodrx.com each month to find discounts and information related to their healthcare. GoodRx is the #1 most downloaded medical app on the iOS and Android app stores. For more information, visit www.goodrx.com.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right freelance medical writer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with freelance medical writers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit freelance medical writers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your freelance medical writer job on Zippia to find and attract quality freelance medical writer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with freelance medical writer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freelance medical writer

   Once you've decided on a perfect freelance medical writer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new freelance medical writer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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