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Scientific writer vs assistant editor

The differences between scientific writers and assistant 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 scientific writer, becoming an assistant editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a scientific writer has an average salary of $99,550, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for a scientific writer include IND, NDA and abstracts. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Scientific writer vs assistant editor overview

Scientific WriterAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$99,550$52,284
Hourly rate$47.86$25.14
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs15,9608,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4644
Years of experience24

What does a scientific writer do?

Scientific writers are professionals who are responsible for conducting research and writing articles that are related to scientific topics for many different kinds of publications and scientific journals. These writers are required to conduct interviews with scientists and other important people to ensure accurate information about the essays they are writing. They must adapt and comply with in-house style guides as well as perform copy-editing and proofreading duties. Scientific writers must also build up a network of contacts with other professionals in the industry such as press officers, PR executives, and researchers.

What does an assistant editor do?

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.

Scientific writer vs assistant editor salary

Scientific writers and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Scientific WriterAssistant Editor
Average salary$99,550$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $150,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, VAHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateVirginiaNew York
Best paying companyMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterApple
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalMedia

Differences between scientific writer and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between a scientific writer and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

Scientific WriterAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorBiologyEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNorthwestern University

Scientific writer vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between scientific writers' and assistant editors' demographics:

Scientific WriterAssistant Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 39.2% Female, 60.8%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%12%

Differences between scientific writer and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Scientific writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage, and assist in the recruiting activities of, CRO resources preparing regulatory documents on behalf of APGD.
  • Harmonize USP and EP methods.
  • Exhibit proficiency in researching, writing, editing, and proofreading.
  • Create internal LIMS for NIH lab using Drupal, MySQL and git version control.
  • Organize and consolidate information into standard report formats, preparing and proofreading correspondence and documents in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
  • Use APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, AMA, and in-house style guides for error-free documents.
  • Show more

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Scientific writer vs assistant editor skills

Common scientific writer skills
  • IND, 10%
  • NDA, 10%
  • Abstracts, 7%
  • Regulatory Submissions, 6%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Clinical Study Reports, 6%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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