upper level job

Clinical Study Medical Writer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Study Medical Writer I make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Study Medical Writer I in the United States is $68,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a Clinical Study Medical Writer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,636
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,100 to $74,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,093
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
View as table View as graph 25% $63,100 10% $58,093 90% $80,636 75% $74,900 $68,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Clinical Study Medical Writer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,900 $6,242 $1,440 $36
Average $68,600 $5,717 $1,319 $33
25th Percentile $63,100 $5,258 $1,213 $30
Check out Clinical Study Medical Writer I Job Openings in the United States
Chief Medical Officer

K'ima:w Medical Center - HOOPA, CA

Medical Surgical Registered Nurse

StaffHC INC - CLAREMONT, NH

Nurse Practitioner Family Medical

Beauregard Health System - DERIDDER, LA

ICU Intensivist Medical Director

Benchmark Hospitalists and Intensivists - EL SEGUNDO, CA

Search More Clinical Study Medical Writer I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Study Medical Writer I Salaries

A Clinical Study Medical Writer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Clinical Study Medical Writer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Study Medical Writer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $68,190
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,788
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,199
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,481
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,669
Levels Salary
Entry Level Clinical Study Medical Writer I$68,190
Intermediate Level Clinical Study Medical Writer I$68,788
Senior Level Clinical Study Medical Writer I$70,199
Specialist Level Clinical Study Medical Writer I$70,481
Expert Level Clinical Study Medical Writer I$70,669
$68,190 0 yr
$68,788 < 2 yrs
$70,199 2-4 yrs
$70,481 5-8 yrs
$70,669 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Study Medical Writer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $86,500
  • San Francisco: $85,600
  • Oakland: $83,700

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Study Medical Writer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 6.13% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Word Processing (Mentioned in 2.45% Job Postings): word processing, operation in which a text-editing software program called a word processor is used to create a document on a computer. A word-processing system can produce a wide variety of documents, including letters, memoranda, and manuals, rapidly and at relatively low cost.
  • Medical Education (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Medical education is a course of study directed toward imparting knowledge and skills required for the prevention and treatment of diseases to persons seeking to become physicians.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 6.13%
Word Processing 2.45%
Medical Education 1.62%

Clinical Study Medical Writer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Study Medical Writer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Clinical Study Medical Writer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Clinical Study Medical Writer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Clinical Study Medical Writer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $77,100 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Clinical Study Medical Writer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Clinical Study Medical Writer I

Here are companies hiring for Clinical Study Medical Writer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Clinical Study Medical Writer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Clinical Study Medical Writer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Clinical Study Medical Writer I

1. Which medical profession is highest paid?

In the medical field, Clinical Study Medical Writers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $71,800, a mid-range of $81,000, and a maximum of $89,600. While physicians and specialists like surgeons and anesthesiologists often top the salary charts, Clinical Study Medical Writers also enjoy lucrative compensation for their expertise in clinical documentation and regulatory submissions.

2. Do you need a masters to be a medical writer?

While a master's degree is not always mandatory to become a medical writer, it is highly advantageous, as many employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees. Additionally, those with a PhD in life sciences may have a competitive edge. Salaries for clinical study medical writers typically range from $71,800 to $89,600, with a median of $81,000.

3. What is the hourly rate for a Medical Writer in the US?

The salary for a Clinical Study Medical Writer in the US ranges from $71,800 to $89,600 annually, with a midpoint of $81,000. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $34.50 to $43.00, based on a standard 40-hour workweek.

4. Do medical writers work in hospitals?

Medical writers can work in various settings, including hospitals, medical schools, clinics, health science centers, and pharmaceutical companies. Their salaries typically range from $71,800 to $89,600, with a median salary of $81,000, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the field.

5. How much money can I make doing clinical trials?

As a Clinical Study Medical Writer, you can expect a salary ranging from $71,800 to $89,600, with a median salary of $81,000. While some cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara offer significantly higher salaries for clinical trials jobs, the typical earnings in this role provide a solid income within the industry.

6. How much does worldwide clinical trials pay medical writers?

The salary range for a Clinical Study Medical Writer is approximately $71,800 to $89,600 per year, with a midpoint of around $81,000. This reflects the base salary without including additional compensation.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst