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The differences between senior medical writers and technical 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 technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior medical writer has an average salary of $99,453, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical 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 technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.
| Senior Medical Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $99,453 | $61,717 |
| Hourly rate | $47.81 | $29.67 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 59,478 | 78,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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.
A technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.
Senior medical writers and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Medical Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average salary | $99,453 | $61,717 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $157,000 | Between $47,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Biogen | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior medical writer and a technical editor in terms of educational background:
| Senior Medical Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Nursing | English |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior medical writers' and technical editors' demographics:
| Senior Medical Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| 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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |