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Medical Writer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Medical Writer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the Role We're looking for an experienced regulatory medical writer to act as our in-house pharma subject matter expert on a consulting basis. You'll work directly with our engineering team to ...

Veristat

Principal Medical Writer

Ontario, CA · On-site +1

Principal Medical Writer The Principal Medical Writer independently plans and prepares a range of regulatory documents and medical communications to support all phases of product development. The ...

Veristat

Principal Medical Writer

Ontario, CA · On-site +1

Principal Medical Writer The Principal Medical Writer independently plans and prepares a range of regulatory documents and medical communications to support all phases of product development. The ...

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Medical Writer information

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$45

$77

How much do medical writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical writer in California is $45.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.22 and $55.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical writer?

Medical writers are professionals who create scientific documents related to healthcare, medicine, and the life sciences. They produce materials such as clinical study reports, journal articles, regulatory submissions, and educational content for healthcare professionals or the public. Medical writers must have a strong understanding of medical terminology, research methods, and regulatory guidelines. Their work helps communicate complex scientific information clearly, accurately, and in compliance with industry standards.

What does a medical writer do?

Medical writers create scientific documents and articles. This can include a variety of different types of papers, including research documents, educational or promotional literature, articles, and abstracts. You may ghostwrite for well-known physicians and scientists, or you may write under your own name, depending on what field you are in. Other medical writer jobs include journalists for medical magazines, authors of books, and those who write marketing materials for health care organizations. Regardless of your specialty, you must be able to interpret complex scientific information and create articles that people can read and understand, particularly when writing for the general public.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a medical writer?

To thrive as a Medical Writer, you need a strong background in life sciences or medicine, excellent written communication skills, and often an advanced degree such as a PhD, MD, or relevant certification. Familiarity with reference management software, medical literature databases, and regulatory guidelines like ICH or GPP is typically required. Attention to detail, the ability to interpret complex data, and collaboration skills set standout professionals apart in this role. These competencies ensure the production of accurate, compliant, and accessible medical documents crucial for regulatory approval, education, and communication in healthcare.

What is the difference between Medical Writer vs Clinical Writer?

AspectMedical WriterClinical Writer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in life sciences, healthcare, or related fields; certifications like AMWA or EMWA are commonSimilar credentials; often holds degrees in life sciences with certifications in clinical research or writing
Work EnvironmentWorks in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare companies, often in offices or remote settingsPrimarily in clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, or hospitals, often in office or remote settings
Industry UsageUsed across pharma, biotech, medical device industries for regulatory, educational, and promotional contentFocused on clinical trial documentation, protocols, and reports within clinical research

Medical Writers and Clinical Writers share similar backgrounds and work environments, often collaborating in healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The main difference lies in their focus: Medical Writers create a broad range of medical content, while Clinical Writers specialize in clinical trial documentation and reports.

Is medical writing a stable career?

Medical writing is generally considered a stable career due to consistent demand for clear communication of scientific and medical information across pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare industries. Professionals often require strong writing skills, scientific knowledge, and familiarity with regulatory guidelines, which support long-term employment opportunities. However, job stability can vary based on industry trends, experience, and specialization.

How does a medical writer typically collaborate with subject matter experts during a project?

Medical Writers frequently work closely with physicians, researchers, and regulatory specialists to ensure content accuracy and clarity. This collaboration often involves conducting interviews, reviewing scientific data, and incorporating expert feedback into drafts. Building strong professional relationships and maintaining clear communication are key for efficiently resolving technical questions and aligning final documents with project objectives. This teamwork is essential for producing high-quality, compliant materials that meet both scientific and regulatory standards.
More about Medical Writer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Writer jobs in California? The most popular types of Medical Writer jobs in California are:
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What job categories do people searching Medical Writer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Medical Writer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Medical Writer jobs? Cities in California with the most Medical Writer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Medical Writer jobs in CA? For Medical Writer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Medical Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Medical Writer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 70% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,975 per year, or $45.7 per hour.

Medical Writer

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

San Rafael, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

BioMarin Pharmaceutical rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

Who We Are
BioMarin is a global biotechnology company that relentlessly pursues bold science to translate genetic discoveries into new medicines that advance the future of human health.
Since our founding in 1997, we have applied our scientific expertise in understanding the underlying causes of genetic conditions to create transformative medicines, using a number of treatment modalities.
Using our unparalleled expertise in genetics and molecular biology, we develop medicines for patients with significant unmet medical need. We enlist the best of the best – people with the right technical expertise and a relentless drive to solve real problems – and create an environment that empowers our teams to pursue bold, innovative science. With this distinctive approach to drug discovery, we’ve produced a diverse pipeline of commercial, clinical and preclinical candidates that have well-understood biology and provide an opportunity to be first-to-market or offer a substantial benefit over existing therapeutic options.
About Worldwide Research and Development
From research and discovery to post-market clinical development, our WWRD engine involves all bench and clinical research and the associated groups that support those endeavors. Our teams work on developing first-in-class and best-in-class therapeutics that provide meaningful advances to patients who live with genetic diseases.
The Medical Writer 1 applies basic to intermediate documentation preparation and document project management skills to assist in the development, drafting, review, editing, and finalization of documents used in conducting clinical studies and reporting clinical study results for regulatory submissions and publications.

RESPONSIBILITIES 
List the major responsibilities of the job. 
 
  • Drafts and edits documents used in conducting and reporting the results of clinical studies, including protocols, protocol amendments, informed consent forms, and clinical study reports
  • Drafts and edits documents used in reporting aggregate safety and efficacy information for a molecule, such as investigator’s brochures and periodic safety reports (PBRERs, DSURs, etc.)
  • Aids in managing study team participation in the preparation of such documents, including calling/running meetings, developing and managing timelines, and managing the document review and comment adjudication processes
  • Provides peer review and editing support for other regulatory documents, such as statistical analysis plans, CRFs, and other study materials
  • Adheres to departmental procedures and practices and technical and industry standards during all aspects of work.
  • Assists in developing and reviewing standard processes and templates within Global Medical Writing
  • Works effectively with cross-functional groups within BioMarin
  • Other tasks as assigned.
 
SCOPE 
Quantify the scope or impact of the job in terms of revenue, expenses, capital investment, headcount, etc. 
 
This position progressively develops the medical writing function in alignment with the requirements of clinical development and organizational goals. Filling this need with a regular full-time employee will enable BioMarin to reduce writing-related CRO and contractor costs, increase Medical Writing productivity to meet development needs, and realize efficiencies and consistent documentation quality across programs through repeatable processes and continuity of knowledge of programs, investigational products, and indications.
 
EDUCATION 
State both the minimum and the preferred educational attainment (or equivalent experience), and describe essential and desired subject matter, certifications, special training, etc. 
Bachelor’s or higher degree preferred; scientific focus desirable.
 
Minimum requirement: University-level medical or technical writing course(s) or equivalent experience in science/technical writing.
 
Evidence of medical writing career development desirable, eg, American Medical Writers Association certificate, Editor in Life Sciences certificate, or relevant training through Drug Information Association.
 
EXPERIENCE 
State both the minimum and the preferred number of years of relevant experience, and describe the essential functions of the job. 
Relevant Experience
Fulfills one of the following:
·       Up to 2 years as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry
·       At least 5 years of medical or scientific writing experience as a primary job responsibility
 
Clinical Studies
·       Familiar with drug development process (discovery to market).
·       Basic understanding of biostatistical and clinical research concepts.
·       Basic applied knowledge of:
o   documentation required for the conduct of clinical studies
o   protocol design (including objectives, efficacy and safety endpoints, and procedures for collecting and reporting AEs and SAEs)
o   study results reporting
 
Medical Writing
·       Writing high-quality documents that support corporate goals and objectives.
·       Experience writing, reviewing, or editing protocols and clinical study reports preferred.
·       Basic applied knowledge of routine document content preparation, including the use of style guides (internal, AMA, CBE, Chicago), medical dictionaries, and guidance documents that prescribe content.
·       Ability to interpret basic tabular and graphical clinical data presentations.
·       Ability to create basic tables using AMA style (eg, Schedule of Events).
·       Basic to intermediate applied knowledge of basic clinical laboratory tests.
·       Basic understanding of the concepts of coding dictionaries (MedDRA, WHO Drug).
 
Computer/office equipment Skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word (including the use of templates), Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint.
  • Familiar with document management software (eg, LiveLink, SharePoint, Veeva)
  • Experienced with scanners, printers, and copiers.
 
Regulatory
  • Basic knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidances associated with standalone regulatory documents (eg, protocols, investigator brochures, and clinical study reports).
 
Project Management
  • Capable of working on multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
  • Good conflict management skills.
  • Motivated and shows initiative.
  • Detail oriented.
 
Communication
  • Capable of well organized, concise and clear written and verbal communication.
  • Capable of comprehending complex scientific concepts and translating them into clear, concise, appropriately referenced text that meets regulatory requirements.
  • Effective at explaining writing principles to a varied audience both in individual and group settings; basic presentation skills.


Note: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive, or a limitation of the duties of the position. It is intended to describe the general nature of the job that may include other duties as assumed or assigned.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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