How much does it really cost to hire a medical writer in 2025? A guide for clients

If you're looking for medical writing support, you're probably wondering “How much is this going to cost?”

There's no denying that medical writers can be expensive, particularly if you're working with a large medical communications agency. These agencies often charge premium rates for their services, which may not be within reach for smaller companies, independent researchers, or startups operating on a tight budget.

But there's another option – freelancer medical writers or microagencies.

Freelance medical writers are often more affordable and flexible when it comes to pricing. Since they work independently or in small teams, they have fewer overheads and can often provide high-quality work at a lower cost than large agencies.

But what’s a reasonable rate to pay? And how should you structure payments for your project? 

This guide explains typical freelance medical writing rates in the UK, how pricing works, and what you get for your investment.

Medical writing rates: What do freelance medical writers charge in the UK?

Medical writing fees vary based on factors such as:

• The writer's experience and qualifications

• The complexity and length of the project

• The type of document required

• The amount of research and strategic input needed

Several industry surveys, such as the WE3 salary survey and EMWA freelance business survey, can give you an idea of typical freelancer rates. However, the ranges can be quite broad, making it difficult to pinpoint exact costs.

One of the most important considerations is how you want to pay: by the hour, by the word or through a fixed-price arrangement for your project.

Each method has its pros and cons as described below.

1. Hourly rates

Most freelance medical writers charge by the hour or day. But rates can vary enormously depending on a writer’s experience, skill level and demand.

Highly sought-after experienced medical writers will naturally charge more, but can complete tasks faster and deliver a better first draft, potentially saving you time and money in the long run.

Newer writers may charge less, but their work may take longer and need more revision.

While paying by the hour seems straightforward, it can be tricky if you're unsure how long a project will take. To avoid budget surprises, some clients prefer to set an upper limit on billable hours or request an estimate before work begins.

Sometimes, it's more cost-effective to pay a higher hourly rate for a skilled writer who gets it right first time, rather than a lower rate for someone who takes twice as long. If your project is time-sensitive, investing in a seasoned writer could be the better choice.

Be cautious of writers offering rock-bottom prices – they will likely deliver low-quality work or rely heavily on AI-generated content.

Typical hourly rates

In the UK in 2025, experienced medical writers are typically charging between £65 and £85 per hour and this can go up to £100 per hour for regulatory writing or for writers who offer strategic consultancy in addition to writing.

These rates apply when you hire a writer directly. However, if you go through a recruitment agency, expect to pay significantly more. Recruitment agencies will add their own markup on top of a writer's fee, which can drive up costs substantially.

If you're on a budget, hiring a freelancer directly will always be the most cost-effective solution.

2. Paying by the word

For some tasks, particularly medical editing or proofreading, paying by the word can be an option. Some editors prefer this model for its simplicity, especially for well-defined tasks.

However, per-word pricing is less practical for tasks like original scientific writing, development of slide decks or meeting support. These projects involve more than just writing: they often require background research, strategic thinking and collaboration with subject matter experts.

3. Fixed-price projects

Another option is working on a fixed-price basis, which many freelancers (myself included) offer.

This gives you a set price for the entire project from start to finish so you'll know exactly what you'll pay from the outset. It also means no surprises if the project takes longer than expected and allows you to quickly determine whether the cost fits your budget.

Fixed pricing is particularly useful for well-defined projects like manuscripts, review articles and white papers.

From the freelancer's perspective, fixed pricing carries some risk, as it depends on their ability to accurately estimate the time required to complete a project upfront, It also requires time to prepare detailed quotes and they will need to monitor the project scope closely to ensure everything stays within the original agreement.

Why pricing transparency matters

It can be hard to find clear pricing for medical writing services, as many agencies and freelancers avoid listing fees publicly. This is often because pricing varies significantly depending on project complexity, client needs and turnaround times.

Some providers also worry that publishing rates could deter potential clients before they've had a chance to understand the value of the service.

But I believe in transparency.

I’d rather give potential clients a rough idea of costs upfront rather than waste time on enquiries that don’t align with their budget.

Are freelance medical writers more affordable than medical communication agencies?

In most cases, yes, freelancers generally offer better value because we have lower overheads than large medical communication agencies. For for the same project, agencies are likely to charge at least 2 to 3 times more than a freelancer.

But cost isn't the only difference. Freelancers offer several other key advantages, for example,

• Willingness to take on small or ad hoc tasks, such as polishing a nearly complete manuscript

• Flexibility to adopt scope as your project evolves

• Direct communication, without layers of account managers

• All work completed by an experienced senior writer rather than a junior writer assigned behind the scenes.

And while freelancers work independently, we often collaborate with trusted specialists, for example, editors and graphic designers, to offer a tailored end-to-end service without agency-level costs.

My freelance medical writing rates and pricing structure

I provide a transparent pricing structure to help potential clients understand costs upfront.

Here are some ballpark figures for common projects. Exact fees will depend on your project's scope, complexity, and timelines.

Full manuscript support:

For most straightforward original research articles, I currently charge £9000. This is an end-to-end service that includes

• Outlining and drafting

• Reference management

• Developing tables and figures

• Revisions and quality control

• Formatting to journal guidelines

• Submission support and addressing reviewer comments

• Project management and liaising with co-authors if needed

Editing and formatting:

I charge £75 to £125 per 1000 words, depending on the level of work needed.

• £75 per 1000 words would include proofreading and formatting in accordance with journal guidelines

• £125 per 1000 words would also include substantive English language editing and top level scientific content review as well as proofreading and formatting

You can view my full price list here, but if you'd like a tailored quote based on your project needs, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Do medical writing fees include VAT?

When budgeting for medical writing services, don’t forget about VAT.

I am VAT-registered, which means 20% VAT will be added to my invoices for UK clients.

Some freelancers are not VAT-registered, meaning they do not charge VAT, but if you’re working with a VAT-registered writer, make sure to factor this into your budget.

Do I need to pay upfront or on completion of the project?

For large fixed price projects, I typically invoice a proportion of the overall fee upfront with the remainder due at agreed milestones.

For example, for a manuscript, I usually invoice 20% upfront, 60% upon journal submission and 20% upon project completion.

For other types of fixed price project, I often invoice 50% upfront and 50% upon completion.

For smaller projects and where I have an established relationship with the client, I may just invoice 100% of the fees at project completion.

For hourly rate work, I typically invoice at the end of the month for ongoing projects or at completion for one-off projects.

Want to learn more about freelance medical writing?

If you're considering working with a freelance medical writer, you might have more questions. To find out more, check out my article: Do you want to be a freelance medical writer? Get the answers to your FAQs

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Get in touch

If you're interested in working with me on your next medical writing project, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

I'd be happy to chat about your requirements and provide you with a detailed quote for your project.