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What does a science writer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A science writer specializes in producing written materials that aim to inform and educate. There are many employment opportunities for a science writer, such as in publishing, education, film and TV, and government agencies. Although their duties vary on their place of employment, it typically includes conducting studies and scientific research, observing subjects and gathering samples, coordinating with experts, and collecting evidence. They must also produce content while adhering to deadlines and guidelines, including the employer's policies and regulations.

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Science writer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real science writer resumes:

  • Manage assignments and workloads of copywriting team.
  • Manage a team of RFP writers and work with a cross-functional team to meet RFP requirements and establish deadlines.
  • Interview SMEs, revise inputs, and finalize text.
  • Convert topics to HTML for use in the customized browser.
  • Work with SMEs to revise course modules and build a glossary of terms.
  • Create clinical documentation for FDA submission and journal publication.
  • Edit mathematics and science content for state-specific preparatory curriculum distribute nation-wide.
  • Work closely with developers to integrate UI standards into the application and to build intuitive navigation and functionality.
  • Handle the encyclopedia's coverage of economics, education, government, history, law, political science, and sociology.
  • Research and provide medical content for Livestrong.com.
  • Web outlets include USAToday.com, and Livestrong.com.

Science writer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Science Writers are proficient in Biomedical, NIH, and Scientific Content. They’re also known for soft skills such as Teamwork, Technical skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Science Writers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Biomedical, 12%

    Write articles for patients on progress in biomedical and clinicalresearch on human diseases and their treatment.

  • NIH, 10%

    Highlighted research achievements in reports to Congress and responded to Congressional inquiries on NIH policy and research.

  • Scientific Content, 8%

    Research and develop medical/scientific content documents (i.e.

  • Press Releases, 7%

    Report, write, and edit news highlights and press releases for both the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation.

  • Proofreading, 6%

    Provided editorial and proofreading assistance with presentation and marketing materials, speeches and content development.

  • Scientific Research, 6%

    Write articles on current scientific research in a style accessible for the lay reader

Most science writers use their skills in "biomedical," "nih," and "scientific content" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential science writer responsibilities here:

Teamwork. The most essential soft skill for a science writer to carry out their responsibilities is teamwork. This skill is important for the role because "technical writers must be able to work well with other writers, designers, editors, illustrators, and the technical workers whose procedure or product they are explaining." Additionally, a science writer resume shows how their duties depend on teamwork: "communicate to management, subject matter experts, and the like facilitating effective teamwork with all parties involved in a project. "

Technical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling science writer duties is technical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "technical writers must be able to understand complex information." According to a science writer resume, here's how science writers can utilize technical skills in their job responsibilities: "collaborate with participants doing chemistry lab research write articles on participants in the research program tutor participants in technical writing"

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for science writers to perform their duties. For an example of how science writer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "technical writers create instructions for others to follow." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a science writer: "managed established series, overseeing contractual, editorial and budgetary details. ".

Writing skills. science writer responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly." This resume example shows what science writers do with writing skills on a typical day: "exhibited proficiency in researching, writing, editing, and proofreading. "

Most common science writer skills

The three companies that hire the most science writers are:

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Compare different science writers

Science writer vs. Publisher

A publisher manages the design, editing, and production process with the help of proofreaders, printers, and editors. Publishers make schedules for every stage of the process and work backward from the planned date for publication. They distribute promotional catalogs to libraries and booksellers. They set the commercial and editorial direction for businesses publishing newspapers, digital content, magazines, and books. It is their duty to make decisions on the markets that their firms will serve as well as the type of content that they will give to their audience.

We looked at the average science writer salary and compared it with the wages of a publisher. Generally speaking, publishers are paid $2,325 higher than science writers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both science writer and publisher positions are skilled in press releases, web content, and fda.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between science writers and publisher. For instance, science writer responsibilities require skills such as "biomedical," "nih," "scientific content," and "proofreading." Whereas a publisher is skilled in "customer satisfaction," "strategic thinking," "client facing," and "publishing industry." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Publishers tend to make the most money working in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,908. In contrast, science writers make the biggest average salary, $77,809, in the technology industry.The education levels that publishers earn slightly differ from science writers. In particular, publishers are 8.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a science writer. Additionally, they're 8.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Science writer vs. Editor

An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.

Editor positions earn lower pay than science writer roles. They earn a $17,107 lower salary than science writers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both science writers and editors have skills such as "press releases," "web content," and "subject matter experts. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, science writer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "biomedical," "nih," "scientific content," and "proofreading." Meanwhile, an editor has duties that require skills in areas such as "video content," "seo," "facebook," and "editor-in-chief." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Editors earn a lower average salary than science writers. But editors earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,170. Additionally, science writers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $77,809 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Editors tend to reach lower levels of education than science writers. In fact, they're 8.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Science writer vs. News editor

A News Editor reviews and changes the content of a publication provided by writers and other contributors. They generally work for newspapers, magazines, and websites.

An average news editor eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of science writers. The difference in salaries amounts to news editors earning a $15,392 lower average salary than science writers.Using the responsibilities included on science writers and news editors resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "press releases," "web content," and "feature stories.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, science writers are more likely to have skills like "biomedical," "nih," "scientific content," and "proofreading." But a news editor is more likely to have skills like "news stories," "news coverage," "instagram," and "twitter."

News editors make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $63,412. On the other hand, science writers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $77,809.Most news editors achieve a lower degree level compared to science writers. For example, they're 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 9.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Science writer vs. Assistant editor

An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.

Assistant editors typically earn lower pay than science writers. On average, assistant editors earn a $16,930 lower salary per year.According to resumes from science writers and assistant editors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "press releases," "web content," and "feature stories. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between science writers and assistant editors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a science writer might have more use for skills like "biomedical," "nih," "scientific content," and "proofreading." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of assistant editors require skills like "editorial content," "video footage," "media management," and "production process. "

Assistant editors enjoy the best pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $55,636. For comparison, science writers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of assistant editors showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to science writers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 9.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 8.9%.

Types of science writer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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