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Medical writer vs proposal writer

The differences between medical writers and proposal writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical writer and a proposal writer. Additionally, a medical writer has an average salary of $93,842, which is higher than the $68,706 average annual salary of a proposal writer.

The top three skills for a medical writer include medical writing, patients and clinical research. The most important skills for a proposal writer are subject matter experts, powerpoint, and business development.

Medical writer vs proposal writer overview

Medical WriterProposal Writer
Yearly salary$93,842$68,706
Hourly rate$45.12$33.03
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs59,51618,125
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a medical writer do?

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.

What does a proposal writer do?

Proposal Writers help clients win contracts, grants from the government, or even permission to perform a consulting service. They must ensure that all important information is included in the paperwork and documents.

Medical writer vs proposal writer salary

Medical writers and proposal writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical WriterProposal Writer
Average salary$93,842$68,706
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $137,000Between $48,000 And $97,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaVirginia
Best paying companyBiogenPrecise Software Solutions
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between medical writer and proposal writer education

There are a few differences between a medical writer and a proposal writer in terms of educational background:

Medical WriterProposal Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBiologyEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaNorthwestern University

Medical writer vs proposal writer demographics

Here are the differences between medical writers' and proposal writers' demographics:

Medical WriterProposal Writer
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 33.6% Female, 66.4%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between medical writer and proposal writer duties and responsibilities

Medical writer example responsibilities.

  • Develop network of science contacts at NASA to inform stories and generate new leads.
  • Manage, and assist in the recruiting activities of, CRO resources preparing regulatory documents on behalf of APGD.
  • Create and maintain account profiles for contributors, including writing of biographies, gathering headshots, and creating and managing accounts.
  • Create manuscripts, abstracts, and PowerPoint slide decks for a prominent pharmaceutical client.
  • Prepare CSRs, IB updates, protocols, protocol amendments, and statistical analysis plans.
  • Draft scientific content for abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and slide presentations (CNS )
  • Show more

Proposal writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage proposals for DoD, aerospace, and commercial customers.
  • Manage prospective client information, proposal and marketing strategies through Salesforce.
  • Analyze contract documents, coordinate subcontractors and manage RFI s throughout cost proposal submission process.
  • Identify, plan, manage and respond to RFPs and RFIs from prospective clients, resulting in increase potential business.
  • Implement Salesforce for division and manage pipeline and post-award contract documentation.
  • Manage SharePoint file organization system and wiki cooperation sites to facilitate cooperation among internal and external proposal response participants.
  • Show more

Medical writer vs proposal writer skills

Common medical writer skills
  • Medical Writing, 11%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Clinical Research, 6%
  • Clinical Study Reports, 6%
  • Literature Searches, 5%
  • FDA, 5%
Common proposal writer skills
  • Subject Matter Experts, 12%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Proposal Content, 6%
  • Past Performance, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%

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