As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Medical Writer in the United States is $113,283 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a Lead Medical Writer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead Medical Writer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Medical Writer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead Medical Writer | $108,521 |
| Intermediate Level Lead Medical Writer | $109,144 |
| Senior Level Lead Medical Writer | $109,768 |
| Specialist Level Lead Medical Writer | $112,012 |
| Expert Level Lead Medical Writer | $115,036 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Medical Writers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Presentation | 3.62% |
| Adobe | 2.24% |
| HTML | 1.45% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
API
|
$130,275 |
15%
|
|
UI
|
$130,275 |
15%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$130,275 |
15%
|
|
Organizing
|
$129,143 |
14%
|
|
Product Development
|
$128,010 |
13%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$126,877 |
12%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Medical Writers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Medical Writer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $112,999 and $118,501).
Lead Medical Writer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 3.5% |
| Associates | 5.6% |
| Bachelors | 51.7% |
| Masters | 35.1% |
| Doctorate | 3.8% |
Understanding how a Lead Medical Writer'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, 2026Salaries for a Lead Medical Writer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $108,321 in 2023 to around $108,469 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Medical Writer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $108,321 |
| 2024 | $108,766 |
| 2025 | $108,469 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Lead Medical Writer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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