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The differences between creative writers and technical 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 creative writer, becoming a technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a creative writer has an average salary of $73,095, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.
The top three skills for a creative writer include digital marketing, proofreading and email campaigns. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.
| Creative Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $73,095 | $61,717 |
| Hourly rate | $35.14 | $29.67 |
| Growth rate | 4% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 19,129 | 78,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Creative writers are professionals who employ their imagination and discipline to convey new and interesting ideas to an audience in an engaging way, such as books, screenplays, and promotional marketing material. These writers must select a subject or theme for their writing projects while conducting research to obtain factual information and authentic detail for their content. They must review and submit their work for approval to meet the needs of their clients, publishers, or directors. Creative writers can also work for magazines, websites, and advertising or become a freelancer.
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.
Creative writers and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Creative Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average salary | $73,095 | $61,717 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $114,000 | Between $47,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Technology |
There are a few differences between a creative writer and a technical editor in terms of educational background:
| Creative Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between creative writers' and technical editors' demographics:
| Creative Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.9% White, 75.6% 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 | 16% | 12% |