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The differences between contributing writers and writers 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 takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a writer has an average salary of $66,143, 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 are work ethic, customer service, and web content.
| Contributing Writer | Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $51,372 | $66,143 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $31.80 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 10,292 | 13,931 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| 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.
A writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry. Although they focus on varying types of writing, they all function to inform. Among the typical duties of writers involve producing content within allotted time or deadline, gather information and verify to ensure accuracy, proofread, and undergo review and revisions.
Contributing writers and writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contributing Writer | Writer | |
| Average salary | $51,372 | $66,143 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $75,000 | Between $40,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a contributing writer and a writer in terms of educational background:
| Contributing Writer | Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between contributing writers' and writers' demographics:
| Contributing Writer | Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4% | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% |
| 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, 6.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 16% |