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The differences between content writers and production editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a content writer, becoming a production editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a content writer has an average salary of $58,918, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for a content writer include digital marketing, wordpress and web content. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Content Writer | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $58,918 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $28.33 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | 4% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 19,621 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
The job of content writers is to create the best possible written or visual content ranging from blog posts to press releases. They produce the content for various types of websites, including social networks, news aggregators, and e-commerce sites. The job of content writers is not limited to writing, but also ensuring that the content connects or is relevant to the website pages. They are expected to set the tone of the website and revise the content upon customers' or clients' requests. They are also responsible for assisting in the creation of style guides.
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Content writers and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Content Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $58,918 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $84,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Cisco | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Media |
There are a few differences between a content writer and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Content Writer | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between content writers' and production editors' demographics:
| Content Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.8% Female, 60.2% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 12% |