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Feature writer vs technical editor

The differences between feature 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 feature writer, becoming a technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, 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 technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Feature writer vs technical editor overview

Feature WriterTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$35,590$61,717
Hourly rate$17.11$29.67
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs10,27978,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
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 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.

Feature writer vs technical editor salary

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

Feature WriterTechnical Editor
Average salary$35,590$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $51,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between feature writer and technical editor education

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

Feature WriterTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Feature writer vs technical editor demographics

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

Feature WriterTechnical Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 42.3% Female, 57.7%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%12%

Differences between feature writer and technical 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

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

Feature writer vs technical editor skills

Common feature writer skills
  • Web Content, 14%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Lifestyle, 10%
  • News Articles, 9%
  • SEO, 6%
  • News Stories, 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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