How To Become A Scientific Publications Editor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a scientific publications editor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Thomas Reynolds

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a scientific publications editor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $32.49 an hour? That's $67,588 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -5% and produce -5,500 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a scientific publications editor?

Thomas Reynolds

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota

I think there will be a lasting impact of this pandemic on graduates. The nature of the field is that others in the industry (scientists, engineers, for ex.) often take on tech writing and communication tasks in tight economic conditions, or even just as a matter of a particular culture in a particular business. However, the field of technical communication has been predicted to have a strong future (see Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts growth in jobs in this field).

Technical writing and communication require that students are comfortable with technology and communication and that they adapt to changing situations. I think there are also opportunities for savvy graduates who can offer certain skills and experiences that are unique to the changing situation. This field has a long history of resilience for its graduates seeking jobs in tough circumstances.

ScoreScientific Publications EditorUS Average

Salary

5.3

Avg. Salary $67,588

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.7

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%

Asian 7.13%

Black or African American 3.53%

Hispanic or Latino 7.97%

Unknown 4.57%

White 76.54%

Gender

female 67.23%

male 32.77%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a scientific publications editor

Explore scientific publications editor education requirements

Most common scientific publications editor degrees

Bachelor's

61.6 %

Doctorate

18.8 %

Master's

14.3 %

Start to develop specific scientific publications editor skills

Skills	Percentages
Peer Review	24.67%
Scientific Research	20.83%
Editor-In-Chief	10.19%
Immunology	5.55%
Proofreading	5.43%

Complete relevant scientific publications editor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New scientific publications editors 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 a scientific publications editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real scientific publications editor resumes.

Research scientific publications editor duties and responsibilities

Coordinate reviews and manage nonclinical document inventories and timelines.
Coordinate reviews and edit nonclinical documentation for regulatory submission to FDA.
Assist with proofreading as necessary.
Edit chemical descriptions, scientific chapters, and articles for several USP publications.

Apply for scientific publications editor jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a scientific publications editor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average scientific publications editor salary

The average scientific publications editor salary in the United States is $67,588 per year or $32 per hour. Scientific publications editor salaries range between $35,000 and $128,000 per year.

Average scientific publications editor salary

$67,588 Yearly

$32.49 hourly

What is a scientific publications editor and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a scientific publications editor?

Key steps to become a scientific publications editor

Explore scientific publications editor education requirements

Most common scientific publications editor degrees

Start to develop specific scientific publications editor skills

Complete relevant scientific publications editor training and internships

Research scientific publications editor duties and responsibilities

Apply for scientific publications editor jobs

How did you land your first scientific publications editor job

Average scientific publications editor salary

How do scientific publications editors rate their job?