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The differences between contributing writers and grant writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a contributing writer and a grant writer. Additionally, a grant writer has an average salary of $52,719, which is higher than the $51,372 average annual salary of a contributing writer.
The top three skills for a contributing writer include lifestyle, web content and SEO. The most important skills for a grant writer are grants management, financial reports, and proposal development.
| Contributing Writer | Grant Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $51,372 | $52,719 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $25.35 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 10,292 | 16,708 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A contributing writer is responsible for contributing content to a publication or a specific client, typically on a freelance basis. Contributing writers must have a strong command of their language and extensive understanding of the topics assigned to them. They should be keen on details, perfecting grammar usage with proper writing elements. A contributing writer performs in-depth research to support content, ensuring the accuracy of information to release a high-quality article and serve a good read for the target audience. Contributing writers must have excellent time-management and communication skills, especially on meeting deadlines and doing revisions.
Often working for a non-profit organization, a grant writer specializes in writing application letters for financial grants to foundations, government agencies, and companies. Their responsibilities revolve around maintaining records of data and documentation, finding grant opportunities, participating in devising strategies that benefit the company's growth, crafting correspondence, gathering requirements, and submitting and monitoring grant proposals. Furthermore, a grant writer must have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the organization they work for, including its history, vision, mission, policies, and regulations.
Contributing writers and grant writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contributing Writer | Grant Writer | |
| Average salary | $51,372 | $52,719 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $75,000 | Between $38,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a contributing writer and a grant writer in terms of educational background:
| Contributing Writer | Grant Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Journalism | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between contributing writers' and grant writers' demographics:
| Contributing Writer | Grant Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |