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Editor/director vs technical editor

The differences between editor/directors 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 an editor/director and a technical editor. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, which is higher than the $53,599 average annual salary of an editor/director.

The top three skills for an editor/director include music videos, video production and adobe premiere pro. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Editor/director vs technical editor overview

Editor/DirectorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$53,599$61,717
Hourly rate$25.77$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs9,10778,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an editor/director do?

An editor/director is someone whose work involves video production, assessment of content that a company creates before publishing, and editing of digital media, such as music videos. The essential skills that an editor/director should possess to accomplish his/her or her responsibilities include possessing good judgment and writing skills and having a keen eye for details. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in communication, digital media, photography, or a related field.

What does a technical editor do?

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.

Editor/director vs technical editor salary

Editor/directors and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Editor/DirectorTechnical Editor
Average salary$53,599$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $90,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between editor/director and technical editor education

There are a few differences between an editor/director and a technical editor in terms of educational background:

Editor/DirectorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor/director vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between editor/directors' and technical editors' demographics:

Editor/DirectorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 75.4% Female, 24.6%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% 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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between editor/director and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Editor/director example responsibilities.

  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Maintain and update social media including Youtube and Facebook accounts.
  • Perform principle of photography for interview, commercials, and TV shows.
  • Conceive, authore and edit retirement DVD and web content for the center's long time director.
  • Prepare small sample clips to be shown to producers and directors; implement editing notes per their feedback.
  • Produce, direct and operate camera for event coverage to deliver broadcast programs, DVD's and website segments.
  • Show more

Technical editor example responsibilities.

  • Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
  • Train course developers in advance features of FrameMaker and PowerPoint.
  • Remove PDF security from each document.
  • Update PDF variables for online help.
  • Research science, military, and historical-relate topics for DOD.
  • Create or obtain all necessary screen shots using SnagIt and Photoshop.
  • Show more

Editor/director vs technical editor skills

Common editor/director skills
  • Music Videos, 28%
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 5%
  • Web Series, 4%
  • Photography, 4%
  • Video Content, 4%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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