Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior 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 senior medical writer, becoming a managing editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior medical writer has an average salary of $99,453, which is higher than the $89,060 average annual salary of a managing editor.
The top three skills for a senior medical writer include medical writing, clinical data and clinical study reports. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.
| Senior Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $99,453 | $89,060 |
| Hourly rate | $47.81 | $42.82 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 59,478 | 16,781 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A Senior Medical Writer is responsible for writing comprehensive medical texts and composition for various audiences according to required themes and subjects. Senior Medical Writers maintain the accuracy and authenticity of all information by coordinating with medical professionals and other related parties to gather data. They also study recent trends and innovations within the medical industry and share findings with the clients for further study. A Senior Medical Writer must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in training junior writers and setting recommendations for high-quality publications.
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.
Senior medical writers and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average salary | $99,453 | $89,060 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $157,000 | Between $59,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Biogen | Federal Reserve Bank |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a senior medical writer and a managing editor in terms of educational background:
| Senior Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Journalism |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior medical writers' and managing editors' demographics:
| Senior Medical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1% | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.1% 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% |