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Executive editor vs technical editor

The differences between executive 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 an executive editor and a technical editor. Additionally, an executive editor has an average salary of $110,541, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.

The top three skills for an executive editor include editorial content, editorial calendar and digital content. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Executive editor vs technical editor overview

Executive EditorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$110,541$61,717
Hourly rate$53.14$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs75,81078,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an executive editor do?

An executive editor supervises the editorial content of magazines, newspapers, or other publications. In the corporate setting, an executive editor often arranges a book's publishing. In a newspaper setting, an executive editor is the newsroom leader, and in larger newspapers, they coordinate all aspects of the publication's production. They must have the ability to manage subordinates and assistant editors and be experienced with Associated Press style.

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.

Executive editor vs technical editor salary

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

Executive EditorTechnical Editor
Average salary$110,541$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $278,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyAmerican MediaApple
Best paying industryMediaTechnology

Differences between executive editor and technical editor education

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

Executive EditorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Executive editor vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between executive editors' and technical editors' demographics:

Executive EditorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 50.1% Female, 49.9%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.3% 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 executive editor and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Executive editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead effort to publish works of fiction (Alfaguara imprint).
  • Manage content using CMS tools and ongoing social media campaign and reader engagement via social media networks and blog.
  • Acquire established writers and introduce new voices in genre fiction.
  • Leverage meticulous attention to detail in technical editing and proofreading all content from project inception to completion.
  • Analyze FrameMaker source document and provide feedback to XML architects to improve accuracy of conversion.

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

Executive editor vs technical editor skills

Common executive editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 12%
  • Editorial Calendar, 8%
  • Digital Content, 6%
  • SEO, 6%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 6%
  • Content Strategy, 6%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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