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Feature writer vs managing editor

The differences between feature writers and managing 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 feature writer, becoming a managing editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $35,590 average annual salary of a feature writer.

The top three skills for a feature writer include web content, feature stories and lifestyle. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.

Feature writer vs managing editor overview

Feature WriterManaging Editor
Yearly salary$35,590$89,060
Hourly rate$17.11$42.82
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs10,27916,781
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4644
Years of experience24

What does a feature writer do?

A feature writer is someone who writes real-time news, telling it with a mix of narrative and proper news writing. They can choose from a variety of topics and styles. They have a wide vocabulary to give a big impact. They also use idiomatic expressions and figures of speech to compel readers into reading and digging for more information based on what they wrote. However, despite making these stories and features colorful, that doesn't permit any feature writer to write any false narrative and must make sure that their articles are still factual and educational.

What does a managing editor do?

Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.

Feature writer vs managing editor salary

Feature writers and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Feature WriterManaging Editor
Average salary$35,590$89,060
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $51,000Between $59,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Federal Reserve Bank
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between feature writer and managing editor education

There are a few differences between a feature writer and a managing editor in terms of educational background:

Feature WriterManaging Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Feature writer vs managing editor demographics

Here are the differences between feature writers' and managing editors' demographics:

Feature WriterManaging Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 42.3% Female, 57.7%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage11%12%

Differences between feature writer and managing editor duties and responsibilities

Feature writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the Instagram account, which mean publishing and keeping up to date with the articles.
  • Develop ideas for new content base on reader inquiries and SEO trends.
  • Originate a range of lifestyle, health and human-interest stories targeting a local female audience.
  • Utilize SEO to draw further traffic to a relatively new website, which now has a very strong following.
  • Cover a variety of stories assign by the editor-in-chief
  • Write and edit fiction and non-fiction text to accompany products release and distribute internationally.
  • Show more

Managing editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage programs such as schedule overhaul, YouTube channel creation, and new blog site.
  • Manage editorial process: assigning stories to line-editing to HTML publishing/page placement.
  • Manage editorial departments: ensure timely receipt of copy and photos, including coordinating and overseeing all freelance and in-house submissions.
  • Edit and proofread submissions for weekly publication.
  • Proofread and edit articles for several UN publications.
  • Launch and create the first digital edition online and via iPad.
  • Show more

Feature writer vs managing editor skills

Common feature writer skills
  • Web Content, 14%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Lifestyle, 10%
  • News Articles, 9%
  • SEO, 6%
  • News Stories, 4%
Common managing editor skills
  • Web Content, 13%
  • Editorial Content, 10%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Editorial Calendar, 5%
  • Digital Content, 5%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 4%

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