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Medical Writing Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL

Medical Writer

San Rafael, CA · On-site

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 ...

Collate

Medical Writer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Bonus: existing network or relationships across regulatory affairs, medical writing, or pharma ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Collate

Medical Writer

San Francisco, CA

Bonus: existing network or relationships across regulatory affairs, medical writing, or pharma ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Collate

Medical Writer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Bonus: existing network or relationships across regulatory affairs, medical writing, or pharma ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

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All JobsMedical Writing JobsMedical Writing Assistant JobsMedical Writing Assistant Jobs in California

Medical Writing Assistant information

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$19

$27

How much do medical writing assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical writing assistant in California is $19.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $21.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of documents might I be responsible for as a Medical Writing Assistant, and how does this vary day-to-day?

As a Medical Writing Assistant, you may help draft, edit, and format a wide range of documents including clinical trial protocols, study reports, regulatory submissions, patient information leaflets, and scientific manuscripts. Your daily tasks often depend on project timelines, with some days focused on literature research and data collection, while others emphasize proofreading or coordinating feedback from medical writers, researchers, and regulatory affairs teams. This variety gives you exposure to different stages of the medical writing process and helps build a strong foundation for career advancement within medical communications.

Do medical writers get paid well?

Medical writers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with specialized knowledge or certifications can command higher pay, often supplemented by freelance opportunities or consulting work.

What is the difference between Medical Writing Assistant vs Medical Writer?

AspectMedical Writing AssistantMedical Writer
CredentialsOften requires a bachelor's degree in life sciences or related fieldTypically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in life sciences, communications, or related field
Work EnvironmentSupports medical writing teams, often in pharmaceutical or biotech companiesCreates and edits scientific documents, reports, and publications
Employer & IndustryPharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare companiesPharmaceutical, biotech, medical publishing, regulatory agencies
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for entry-level roles or support positionsCompared for professional development and advanced writing roles

The main difference is that Medical Writing Assistants typically support and assist in the preparation of medical documents, often in entry-level or support roles, while Medical Writers are responsible for creating, editing, and finalizing scientific and medical content. Medical Writers usually have more experience and advanced skills in scientific communication.

Is there a demand for medical writers?

There is a strong and growing demand for medical writers due to the increasing need for clear communication of complex medical and scientific information in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and regulatory environments. Medical writing roles often require knowledge of scientific concepts, strong writing skills, and familiarity with industry guidelines, making it a stable career choice with diverse opportunities.

How can I get into medical writing with no experience?

Medical writing assistants can enter the field by developing strong writing skills, gaining knowledge of medical terminology, and familiarizing themselves with scientific literature. Pursuing relevant certifications, such as those from the American Medical Writers Association, and gaining experience through internships or volunteer work can also improve job prospects. Building a portfolio of writing samples and staying current with industry guidelines are important steps for beginners.

How do you get into medical writing?

To become a medical writing assistant, individuals typically need a background in life sciences, healthcare, or related fields, along with strong writing and communication skills. Gaining experience through internships, certifications such as the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) credential, and familiarity with scientific and medical terminology can improve job prospects. Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Word and reference management software is also beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Medical Writing Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Writing Assistant, you need a solid background in life sciences or healthcare, strong writing and editing skills, and often a relevant degree such as in biology or English. Familiarity with medical journals, referencing software like EndNote, and document management systems is common, and some employers may prefer candidates with certifications such as AMWA. Excellent attention to detail, time management, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly are standout soft skills. These abilities ensure the production of accurate, high-quality medical documents that support research, regulatory compliance, and effective communication within the healthcare industry.

What are Medical Writing Assistants?

Medical Writing Assistants are professionals who support medical writers and healthcare organizations in creating, editing, and organizing scientific documents, such as research manuscripts, clinical study reports, and regulatory submissions. They often help with literature searches, formatting, referencing, and ensuring documents adhere to industry standards. Their work is crucial in facilitating clear communication of medical and scientific information to various audiences, including healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, and patients.
What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Writing jobs in California? The most popular types of Medical Writing jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Medical Writing Assistant jobs in California? For Medical Writing Assistant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Medical Writing Assistant jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Medical Writing Assistant jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Medical Writing Assistant jobs? Cities in California with the most Medical Writing Assistant job openings:
Medical Writing Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Medical Writing Assistant job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,828 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Director, Medical Writing

Mirum Pharmaceuticals

Foster City, CA • Hybrid

$230K - $245K/yr

Other

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Director, Medical Writing works closely with stakeholders in Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, and other functional areas and manages medical writing service providers to develop Regulatory documents, including but not limited to clinical study protocols and clinical protocol amendments, clinical study reports, patient narratives, clinical development plans, IND submissions, integrated summary reports, NDA/MAA and eCTD submissions, and Investigator Brochures, etc.

JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Participate in and oversee vendors for the writing, editing, and confirmation of the scientific and medical accuracy of clinical and regulatory documents.
  • Work collaboratively to incorporate/adjudicate comments from internal and external stakeholders through document development to produce final high-quality deliverables.
  • Interact with internal stakeholders and with external service providers to ensure the timely development, review, and publication of documents.
  • Critically analyze complex data and information and collaborate with clinical, medical, and biostatistics/data science teams on data analysis, description, and presentation.
  • Coordinate the development of the documents named above and others as assigned by the Head of Medical Writing.
  • Ensure quality control of documents as well as formatting finalization.
  • Provide support in development of submission-level documents.
  • Ensure adherence to timelines.
  • Assist the Head of Medical Writing in coordinating workload and maintaining a high standard. Effectively manage multiple assignments in parallel.
  • Prepare documents in accordance with Mirum SOP and specifications as applicable, and relevant ICH and regulatory/industry guidelines.
  • Review of Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) and Tables, Figures and Listings (TFLs) to ensure appropriate data presentation for CSR purposes. Provide feedback on SAP and TFLs to project team as needed.
  • Inform management of medical writing problems promptly and propose solutions.
  • Provide advice on medical writing issues to project team members (internal and external) and help to resolve problems.
  • Represent department in audits and interdepartmental working groups.
  • Develop and maintain in-depth scientific, medical, and technical knowledge relevant to Mirum's clinical studies and pipeline.
  • Develop strong relationships with external advisors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education /Experience:

  • An advanced degree with minimum of 8-10 years of experience in medical writing in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical communication agency industry.
  • Excellent writing ability with strong editorial and formatting skills.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • An independently motivated working style with good problem-solving skills that allow analysis, synthesis, and compilation of data from a broad range of disciplines.
  • Experience managing vendors.
  • Rare disease or liver disease background highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Have a demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communications describing scientific and clinical data in English.
  • An ability to work in a fast-paced, cohesive, collaborative team-oriented work environment.
  • Self-directed and solution oriented.
  • Extensive knowledge of FDA and ICH regulations and guidelines, as well as familiarity of AMA Style Guide and Chicago Manual of Style.
  • Strong proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications.
  • Ability to demonstrate a familiarity with principles of clinical research and interpret and present clinical data and other complex information.
  • A demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, work simultaneously on multiple projects, and complete high-quality documents according to timelines.

The salary range for this position is $230,000 to $245,000 USD. Compensation will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to; skill set, years of experience, and the employee's geographic location. Please note that the required compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits unless otherwise provided.

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