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Contract Medical Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manages work of contract writers. Develops SOPs and templates for the CTD, protocols, final reports ... related medical writing experience. Outstanding writing, analytical and research skills a must.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in healthcare copywriting, medical writing, pharmaceutical ... Contract position with potential extension * Fast-paced pharmaceutical/healthcare marketing ...

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Contract Medical Writer information

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$14

$38

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How much do contract medical writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract medical writer in the United States is $38.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $48.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a freelance medical writer?

To become a freelance medical writer, develop strong writing and scientific skills, often through a background in life sciences or healthcare. Build a portfolio of writing samples, gain experience through internships or contract work, and establish a network of clients or platforms such as Upwork or Freelancer to find opportunities. Certifications like the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) credential can enhance credibility.

How much do freelance medical writers get paid?

Freelance medical writers typically earn between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, specialization, and project complexity. Rates can also vary based on the writer's expertise with regulatory writing, scientific knowledge, and the type of content produced, such as clinical study reports or marketing materials.

What is a Contract Medical Writer job?

A Contract Medical Writer is a professional who creates scientific documents on a freelance or contract basis for pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare companies. They develop clinical study reports, regulatory submissions, manuscripts, and other medical content. Unlike full-time employees, contract medical writers work on a project-by-project basis, often remotely. They must have strong writing skills, scientific knowledge, and an understanding of medical regulations. This role offers flexibility but requires self-discipline and deadline management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Contract Medical Writer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Medical Writer, you need a thorough understanding of scientific concepts, excellent writing skills, and often an advanced degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with regulatory documentation formats (such as ICH, FDA, or EMA standards), medical journal requirements, and tools like Microsoft Office Suite or referencing software is vital. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly are essential soft skills. These capabilities ensure accuracy, compliance, and the effective communication of scientific data to diverse audiences in the healthcare industry.

How much does a contract writer make?

A contract medical writer typically earns between $50,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, specialization, and project scope. Contract roles often pay higher hourly rates but may lack benefits, with rates ranging from $30 to $100 per hour. Compensation varies based on expertise in medical writing, regulatory knowledge, and the complexity of assigned projects.

What types of projects can I expect to work on as a Contract Medical Writer?

As a Contract Medical Writer, you may work on a variety of projects including clinical trial protocols, regulatory submissions, scientific manuscripts, patient education materials, and medical communications for conferences or publications. The work is typically project-based, with deadlines and deliverables defined by clients or pharmaceutical companies. You will often collaborate remotely with clinical researchers, regulatory teams, and subject matter experts to gather information and ensure accuracy. This diversity of projects keeps the role dynamic and allows for continuous learning in different therapeutic areas or document types.

Is there a demand for medical writers?

The demand for contract medical writers remains strong due to the ongoing need for clear, accurate scientific and clinical documentation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Medical writers with expertise in regulatory writing, clinical trial documentation, and familiarity with tools like Microsoft Word and reference management software are particularly sought after. This field offers opportunities across pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and biotech firms, often requiring certifications such as the AMWA or EMWA credentials.
More about Contract Medical Writer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Medical Writer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Medical Writer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Writer jobs? The most popular types of Medical Writer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Medical Writer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Medical Writer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Medical Writer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 64% In-person, and 36% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,364 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Medical Writer II - Publications

Medical Writer II - Publications

Syneoshealth

Concord, NC • Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Leads the clear and accurate completion of medical writing deliverables, ensuring scientific information is presented clearly and accurately.

  • Completes a variety of documents that may include clinical study protocols, clinical study reports, patient narratives, annual reports, investigator brochures, informed consents, plain language summaries, periodic safety update reports, clinical development plans, IND submissions, integrated summary reports, NDA and eCTD submissions, journal manuscripts, and abstracts, posters, and presentations for scientific meetings.

  • Coordinates quality and editorial reviews, manages source documentation, and acts as peer reviewer for internal team to ensure document scientific content, clarity, consistency, and proper format.


Syneos Health rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 73 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Medical Writer II - Publications

Syneos Health is a leading fully-integrated life sciences services organization built to accelerate customer success. We partner with innovators at every point across the drug development and commercialization continuum, helping them navigate complexity, anticipate change and accelerate progress.
Our Clinical Solutions team members act with a drug development mindset, applying their years of experience and deep expertise to truly understand customer needs and represent those in the solutions we shape.
Whether you join us in a Functional Service Provider partnership or a Full-Service environment, you'll collaborate with passionate problem solvers, innovating as a team to help our customers achieve their goals. We are agile and driven to deliver - for one another, our customers, and, most importantly, for those in need.
Discover what your 25,000 future colleagues already know:
Why Syneos Health
We are passionate about developing our people, through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program.
We are committed to building an inclusive culture - where you can authentically be yourself. Central to this is our purpose - Driven to Deliver - which captures the passion of our colleagues to show up each day and shape solutions that have the ability to dramatically impact someone's life.
We are continuously building the company we all want to work for and our customers want to work with. Why? Because we know that when we bring together smart colleagues from across the world, we can shape the future of healthcare, driving impact for customers and defining the pace of patient progress.

Job Responsibilities

  • Leads the clear and accurate completion of medical writing deliverables, ensuring scientific information is presented clearly and accurately. Manages medical writing activities associated with individual studies, coordinating medical writing activities within and across departments with minimal supervision. Leads the resolution of comments from the client.
  • Completes a variety of documents that may include clinical study protocols and clinical study protocol amendments; clinical study reports; patient narratives; annual reports; investigator brochures; informed consents; annual reports; plain language summaries; periodic safety update reports, clinical development plans; IND submissions; integrated summary reports; NDA and eCTD submissions; journal manuscripts; and abstracts, posters, and presentations for scientific meetings.
  • Adheres to established regulatory standards, including, but not limited to, ICH E3 guidelines, as well as company standard operating procedures, client standards, and company and/or client approved-templates, authorship requirements, and style and formatting guides, when completing medical writing projects, on time and on budget.
  • Coordinates quality and editorial reviews. Ensures source documentation is managed appropriately. Leads team document reviews, and reviews documents as needed.
  • Acts as peer reviewer for internal team to ensure document scientific content, clarity, overall consistency, and proper format.
  • Reviews statistical analysis plans and table/figure/listing specifications for appropriate content, and for grammar, format, and consistency. Provides feedback to further define statistical output required and document needs.
  • Interacts and builds good working relations with clients, department head, and peers in data management, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs, as necessary, to produce writing deliverables.
  • Performs online clinical literature searches and complies with copyright requirements.
  • Identifies and proposes solutions to resolve issues, escalating as appropriate. Provides technical support, training, and consultation to department and other company staff. May contribute to development of internal materials and presentations or changes to internal process, standard practices, and capabilities.
  • Mentors and leads less experienced medical writers on complex projects, as necessary.
  • Develops deep expertise on key topics in the industry and the regulatory requirements and guidelines that affect medical writing.
  • Aware of budget specifications for assigned projects, working within the budgeted hours and communicating status and changes to medical writing leadership.
  • Completes required administrative tasks within the specified timeframes.
  • Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
  • Minimal travel may be required (less than 25%).

Qualifications:

  • 3-5 years of relevant experience in science, technical, or medical writing.
  • Experience working in the biopharmaceutical, device, or contract research organization industry required.
  • Strong understanding of FDA and ICH regulations, other regulatory guidelines, and/or good publication practices strongly required.
  • Experience writing relevant document types required.
  • Extensive knowledge of English grammar and ability to communicate clearly; strong familiarity with AMA Manual of Style.

At Syneos Health, we believe in providing an environment and culture in which Our People can thrive, develop and advance. We reward and recognize our people by providing valuable benefits and a quality-of-life balance. The benefits for this position may include a company car or car allowance, Health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, Company match 401k, eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and individual performance, and flexible paid time off (PTO) and sick time. Because certain states and municipalities have regulated paid sick time requirements, eligibility for paid sick time may vary depending on where you work. Syneos complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements.

Salary Range:

$70,100.00 - $145,000.00

The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.

Get to know Syneos Health


Over the past 5 years, we have worked with 94% of all Novel FDA Approved Drugs, 95% of EMA Authorized Products and over 200 Studies across 73,000 Sites and 675,000+ Trial patients.

No matter what your role is, you'll take the initiative and challenge the status quo with us in a highly competitive and ever-changing environment. Learn more about Syneos Health.

http://www.syneoshealth.com

Additional Information


Tasks, duties, and responsibilities as listed in this job description are not exhaustive. The Company, at its sole discretion and with no prior notice, may assign other tasks, duties, and job responsibilities. Equivalent experience, skills, and/or education will also be considered so qualifications of incumbents may differ from those listed in the Job Description. The Company, at its sole discretion, will determine what constitutes as equivalent to the qualifications described above. Further, nothing contained herein should be construed to create an employment contract. Occasionally, required skills/experiences for jobs are expressed in brief terms. Any language contained herein is intended to fully comply with all obligations imposed by the legislation of each country in which it operates, including the implementation of the EU Equality Directive, in relation to the recruitment and employment of its employees. The Company is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the provision of reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, to assist employees or applicants to perform the essential functions of the job.


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