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The differences between copy 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 copy editor and a technical editor. Additionally, a copy editor has an average salary of $62,599, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.
The top three skills for a copy editor include proofreading, house style and digital publishing. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.
| Copy Editor | Technical Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $62,599 | $61,717 |
| Hourly rate | $30.10 | $29.67 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 4,866 | 78,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The primary job of copy editors is to check for misspellings, incorrect punctuation, and consistency in typography, words, and style. They also act as fact-checkers, proofreaders, and project managers, overseeing the workflow and communicating with other departments. A copy editor's other duties and responsibilities include checking content for readability and compliance with editorial policies, rewriting text to improve readability and clarity, and arranging page layouts of articles, photos, and advertisements. Formal training is not required for this role, but copy editors generally have a firm grasp and love for the English language's proper usage.
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.
Copy editors and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Copy Editor | Technical Editor | |
| Average salary | $62,599 | $61,717 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $98,000 | Between $47,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a copy editor and a technical editor in terms of educational background:
| Copy Editor | Technical Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between copy editors' and technical editors' demographics:
| Copy Editor | Technical Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.0% 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 Percentage | 12% | 12% |