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The differences between medical writers and managing editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a medical writer, becoming a managing editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a medical writer has an average salary of $93,842, which is higher than the $89,060 average annual salary of a managing editor.
The top three skills for a medical writer include medical writing, patients and clinical research. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.
| Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $93,842 | $89,060 |
| Hourly rate | $45.12 | $42.82 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 59,516 | 16,781 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
As the name entails, medical writers produce technical, educational, promotional, and technical content. They typically work with physicians, scientists, and subject matter experts to produce documentation that defines product usage and research results. Their duties and responsibilities may vary, but they perform some common tasks, including developing documentation related to clinical trials, creating monographs, and developing promotional materials. Medical writers are also responsible for creating grant proposals, writing newspaper and magazine articles, and creating presentations for conferences.
Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.
Medical writers and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average salary | $93,842 | $89,060 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $137,000 | Between $59,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Biogen | Federal Reserve Bank |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a medical writer and a managing editor in terms of educational background:
| Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Biology | Journalism |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between medical writers' and managing editors' demographics:
| Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4% | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |