Post job

Investigative reporter vs technical editor

The differences between investigative reporters 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 an investigative reporter, becoming a technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an investigative reporter has an average salary of $65,230, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.

The top three skills for an investigative reporter include investigative journalism, investigative stories and facebook. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Investigative reporter vs technical editor overview

Investigative ReporterTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$65,230$61,717
Hourly rate$31.36$29.67
Growth rate-10%-5%
Number of jobs10,81378,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4044
Years of experience24

What does an investigative reporter do?

An investigative reporter is a journalist who performs extensive research and analysis to build facts and current events into news stories. To make this possible, they must pursue leads relating to their subject, conduct interviews with witnesses or the people involved, travel to different places to gather pieces of evidence and other source materials, take videos or photographs, and coordinate with experts such as lawyers and doctors when necessary. Moreover, an investigative reporter must keep up with the latest trends in establishing news structures and news writing.

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.

Investigative reporter vs technical editor salary

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

Investigative ReporterTechnical Editor
Average salary$65,230$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $104,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyHSBC BankApple
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between investigative reporter and technical editor education

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

Investigative ReporterTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Investigative reporter vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between investigative reporters' and technical editors' demographics:

Investigative ReporterTechnical Editor
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 49.0% Female, 51.0%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 67.7% 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 Percentage10%12%

Differences between investigative reporter and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Investigative reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Produce and edit clips for the newspaper website.
  • Perform employment, educational, mvr, and professional reference/license checks.
  • Edit video tape to create packages, perform on camera and in voiceovers.
  • Produce videos for DeSmogBlog including longer investigative pieces and short Facebook pieces design to be share.
  • Create headlines for print as well as headlines for the web that are search engine optimize (SEO).
  • 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

Investigative reporter vs technical editor skills

Common investigative reporter skills
  • Investigative Journalism, 23%
  • Investigative Stories, 14%
  • Facebook, 10%
  • Story Development, 7%
  • News Coverage, 6%
  • Public Service, 6%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs