You don’t need a science degree to become a medical writer. Just the right strategy—and a way in.
If you’ve got writing skills, a curiosity about science, and the ability to make complex things sound not-so-scary, medical writing might just be your golden ticket. It’s where technical writing meets storytelling, and where your words can influence everyone from FDA regulators to the general public.
The best part? It pays. Really well.
With pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, biotech firms, and CROs all battling for clear, accurate communication, demand for medical writers is exploding. Whether you’re full-time, part-time, or building a freelance side hustle, this is one corner of the medical field where you don’t need a lab coat—just a laptop and a strong grasp of commas.
Let’s break it down.
What is a medical writer?
A medical writer takes complex science and turns it into content that actually makes sense to the people who need it—whether that’s healthcare professionals, regulators, or the general public. Think of it as the translator role between doctors, researchers, and literally everyone else.
What does that look like in practice? A medical writer might be drafting:
- Clinical study reports for pharmaceutical companies
- Regulatory submissions for the FDA
- Abstracts and journal articles for peer-reviewed medical journals
- Education materials for patients or providers
- Social media content for biotech brands
- Or clear, readable website copy that helps people understand their treatment options
While technical writers often focus on manuals and process documents, and scientific writers lean heavily into journal-style publishing, medical writers tend to bridge both worlds—especially as they progress toward senior medical writer roles.
In-house or freelance, agency or startup, pharma or public health nonprofit—there’s a place for medical writers anywhere people need help understanding medical information. Which is… pretty much everywhere.
Is there demand for medical writers? (Short answer: yes)
The longer answer is absolutely, wildly, please-start-yesterday levels of yes.
The pharmaceutical industry, medical device companies, hospitals, startups, research organizations, and healthcare providers all need help turning dense science into digestible, accurate content. Why? Because regulatory teams, doctors, patients, and investors are all reading from different playbooks—and someone needs to bridge the gap.
Medical writers are in demand to:
- Translate medical research into accessible language for different target audiences
- Help healthcare professionals and patients understand new treatments
- Craft regulatory documents that meet strict submission requirements
- Support project management teams with timelines, templates, and clarity
You can specialize in medical science, medical terminology, or pivot toward more strategic roles—especially if you’re eyeing a senior medical writer title.
This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan opportunity. It’s a career path with real staying power.
Education and skills: Do you need a science degree?
Good news: you don’t have to be a doctor to become a medical writer. An advanced degree or bachelor’s degree in science, medicine, or communications can help, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
What matters more?
- Excellent writing skills (obviously)
- Clear, concise communication skills
- Solid proofreading and attention to detail
- Confidence working with subject matter experts who may not love using full sentences
📌 Pro Tip: Many medical writers come from clinical research, technical writing, or even journalism. If you can take dense medical information and make it understandable (without sounding like a robot), you’ve already got a head start.
Types of medical writing jobs (and what they pay)
Medical writing isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many flavors, and each comes with its own style, audience, and paycheck.
Here’s what’s out there:
- Regulatory writing: Think FDA submissions, ICH guidelines, and clinical trial documentation. High stakes, high standards—and yes, high pay.
- Consumer health and patient education: Translating complex science into clear content for the general public. You’re the one making sure people actually understand their meds.
- Marketing content: Brochures, web copy, and social posts for biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical brands. Bonus points if you speak fluent “stakeholder.”
- Clinical research summaries: Writing up results for continuing medical education, scientific publications, or internal use.
- Medical communications agencies: Fast-paced and collaborative. You might juggle life sciences clients, pitch decks, and scientific writing in one week.
📌 Pro Tip: You can work in-house, go freelance, or climb the ladder to senior medical writer, managing big projects and mentoring junior staff.
What’s the pay like?
Entry-level roles often start around $70K–$90K in the U.S., while experienced writers (especially in clinical trials or regulatory) can make well into six figures.
Freelancers can charge $100–$150/hour or $1+/word—depending on specialty, experience, and whether you’re writing for a global audience or highly technical life sciences clients.
And while most jobs require professional-level English, your ability to translate science into clarity is what really counts.
How to break into medical writing
If you’re wondering how to go from “interested” to “paid,” here’s your launch plan.
- Start with writing experience: You don’t need a PhD, but you do need strong samples. That might mean rewriting a journal article for a general audience, editing a grant, or drafting blog posts that show off your medical writing chops.
- Use templates and tools: Professional groups like the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) offer templates, style guides, and resources to help you learn the ropes and follow industry standards.
- Freelance or full-time? Try both: Freelancing can help you build clips fast. Full-time roles offer structure and mentorship—especially useful if you’re transitioning from academia or journalism.
- Job search smart: Look on LinkedIn, writing directories, and industry-specific platforms like AMWA, journalism.co.uk, and MedComms job boards. You can also find gigs through medical marketing agencies, CROs, or by cold-pitching biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies directly.
📌 Pro Tip: You don’t have to wait for someone to hand you your first gig. Create your own sample, reach out with confidence, and treat your writing experience like the valuable currency it is.
Resources, tools, and career growth
You don’t need to figure it all out alone. The medical writing world is packed with resources—and knowing where to look can make a big difference.
- Join the pros: Groups like AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) and EMWA (European counterpart) offer events, style guides, and networking gold.
- Find your people: Subreddits, Slack groups, and industry newsletters are where medical writers, technical writers, and scientific writing nerds hang out. Bonus: lots of job leads and unfiltered advice.
- Upskill as you go: Whether it’s webinars on regulatory submission, online courses in clinical research, or one-on-one mentorship, investing in your growth pays off.
- Work smarter: Use content management tools to stay on top of timelines, revisions, and stakeholder feedback. The right setup saves your brain (and your inbox).
📌 Pro Tip: There’s no single path here—but there is a ladder. The more you write, learn, and collaborate, the faster you’ll move from junior gigs to high-paying, high-impact work.
Time to put on the (metaphorical) lab coat
You don’t need a PhD to get started in medical writing—but you do need strong writing skills, a sharp eye for detail, and the ability to translate complex information into something real humans can understand.
The good news? This is a field where skilled writers are in demand. From regulatory documents and journal articles to patient education materials and clinical research summaries, there’s more paid work than ever—if you know where to look.
That’s where Wordling Plus comes in. Members get access to our full library of high-paying markets, pitch templates, and insider tools designed to help freelancers break into competitive niches like medical writing.
If you’re serious about building a career in this field, this is where you start.
