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The differences between contributing writers and writer and 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 contributing writer, becoming a writer and editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a writer and editor has an average salary of $61,482, 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 writer and editor are web content, blog posts, and press releases.
| Contributing Writer | Writer And Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $51,372 | $61,482 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $29.56 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 10,292 | 14,865 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
Writing is not an easy task, so a Writer and an Editor must work together to deliver quality content. A writer's role is to gather information to create a structured written material that would serve its purpose, whether for recreational or informational. Moreover, it is the Editor's responsibility to oversee and examine what the Writer has produced. From this, the Editor will provide feedback, corrections or suggestions, and guidelines that the Writer can follow to improve the material.
Contributing writers and writer and editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contributing Writer | Writer And Editor | |
| Average salary | $51,372 | $61,482 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $75,000 | Between $36,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Internet |
There are a few differences between a contributing writer and a writer and editor in terms of educational background:
| Contributing Writer | Writer And Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between contributing writers' and writer and editors' demographics:
| Contributing Writer | Writer And Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4% | Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0% |
| 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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |