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Editor, freelance vs technical editor

The differences between editors, freelance 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, freelance and a technical editor. Additionally, an editor, freelance has an average salary of $67,947, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.

The top three skills for an editor, freelance include music videos, web content and fiction. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Editor, freelance vs technical editor overview

Editor, FreelanceTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$67,947$61,717
Hourly rate$32.67$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs8,60878,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an editor, freelance do?

An Editor, Freelance is responsible for reading content and correcting for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. They work with writers to help their ideas and stories succeed.

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, freelance vs technical editor salary

Editors, freelance and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Editor, FreelanceTechnical Editor
Average salary$67,947$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $102,000Between $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, freelance and technical editor education

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

Editor, FreelanceTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor, freelance vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between editors, freelance' and technical editors' demographics:

Editor, FreelanceTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.3% Female, 58.7%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% 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, freelance and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Editor, freelance example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media pages such as Facebook and Pinterest to promote.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Review promotional materials to ensure that legal and FDA requirements are meet.
  • Perform editing services for manuscripts submit for publication; editing fiction and non-fiction submissions.
  • Create video compression settings for YouTube upload.
  • Proofread PDF shoe catalog and compare against source spreadsheet.
  • 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, freelance vs technical editor skills

Common editor, freelance skills
  • Music Videos, 14%
  • Web Content, 9%
  • Fiction, 6%
  • Track Changes, 5%
  • Promotional Videos, 4%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 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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