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Features editor vs technical editor

The differences between features 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 a features editor and a technical editor. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, which is higher than the $59,420 average annual salary of a features editor.

The top three skills for a features editor include editorial content, layout design and SEO. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Features editor vs technical editor overview

Features EditorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$59,420$61,717
Hourly rate$28.57$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs11,74878,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a features editor do?

A features editor's duty is to oversee and delegate the articles in the feature section of newspapers, magazines, and other digital publications to writers. Their job also includes pitching suitable articles from freelancers and making sure that the articles made for their publication are informative, on topic, and well-written. Also, the features editor must be detail-oriented and meticulous to ensure that every article is error-free and creative since they are the ones who supervise and decide whether the stories are ethical and factual enough before publishing.

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.

Features editor vs technical editor salary

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

Features EditorTechnical Editor
Average salary$59,420$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $96,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyRokuApple
Best paying industryNon ProfitsTechnology

Differences between features editor and technical editor education

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

Features EditorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Features editor vs technical editor demographics

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

Features EditorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 37.1% Female, 62.9%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% 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 features editor and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Features editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage SEO and Adwords, and social media content.
  • Film and edit all video content as well as managing the YouTube channel and social media feeds.
  • Manage weekly flash fiction competition.
  • Manage communication between editorial, photo, video and production departments.
  • Market via facebook, twitter and blog.
  • Report to editor-in-chief and oversee feature reporting staff.
  • 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

Features editor vs technical editor skills

Common features editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 12%
  • Layout Design, 9%
  • SEO, 8%
  • Adobe Indesign, 7%
  • Lifestyle, 7%
  • Feature Stories, 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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