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Content editor vs technical editor

The differences between content editors and technical editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a content editor and a technical editor. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, which is higher than the $61,694 average annual salary of a content editor.

The top three skills for a content editor include digital content, web content and digital marketing. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Content editor vs technical editor overview

Content EditorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$61,694$61,717
Hourly rate$29.66$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs18,58678,423
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a content editor do?

A content editor is an individual who is responsible for proof-reading articles written by content writers and write blog posts to promote the products and services of an organization. Content editors are responsible for producing monthly newsletters and optimize written pieces to increase user engagement. They need to interact with the consumers with the purpose of sourcing feedback on the content's impact actively. Content editors must also conduct business research on current trends to give the company an edge over the competition.

What does a technical editor do?

A technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.

Content editor vs technical editor salary

Content editors and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Content EditorTechnical Editor
Average salary$61,694$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $91,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between content editor and technical editor education

There are a few differences between a content editor and a technical editor in terms of educational background:

Content EditorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Content editor vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between content editors' and technical editors' demographics:

Content EditorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 43.5% Female, 56.5%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between content editor and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Content editor example responsibilities.

  • Work with W3C standardize CSS to achieve design goals.
  • Coordinate and manage a team of photographers who work on NBA games throughout the league.
  • Identify, create and manage QA projects to improve data consistency and accuracy using SQL to extract data.
  • Manage editorial department by editing and publishing daily content for website and daily e-newsletter.
  • Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
  • Develop social media content for different outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Youtube channel and the blog's webpage.
  • Show more

Technical editor example responsibilities.

  • Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
  • Train course developers in advance features of FrameMaker and PowerPoint.
  • Remove PDF security from each document.
  • Update PDF variables for online help.
  • Research science, military, and historical-relate topics for DOD.
  • Create or obtain all necessary screen shots using SnagIt and Photoshop.
  • Show more

Content editor vs technical editor skills

Common content editor skills
  • Digital Content, 8%
  • Web Content, 7%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • WordPress, 4%
  • Video Content, 4%
  • Content Marketing, 4%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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