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Lead writer vs content developer

The differences between lead writers and content developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a lead writer, becoming a content developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lead writer has an average salary of $96,798, which is higher than the $72,030 average annual salary of a content developer.

The top three skills for a lead writer include web content, content strategy and integrated marketing. The most important skills for a content developer are content development, digital marketing, and subject matter experts.

Lead writer vs content developer overview

Lead WriterContent Developer
Yearly salary$96,798$72,030
Hourly rate$46.54$34.63
Growth rate6%13%
Number of jobs11,36782,250
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4637
Years of experience24

Lead writer vs content developer salary

Lead writers and content developers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead WriterContent Developer
Average salary$96,798$72,030
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $150,000Between $51,000 And $101,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Internet

Differences between lead writer and content developer education

There are a few differences between a lead writer and a content developer in terms of educational background:

Lead WriterContent Developer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Lead writer vs content developer demographics

Here are the differences between lead writers' and content developers' demographics:

Lead WriterContent Developer
Average age4637
Gender ratioMale, 61.9% Female, 38.1%Male, 51.3% Female, 48.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 12.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between lead writer and content developer duties and responsibilities

Lead writer example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage print and online documentation for Linux and web-base security software.
  • Develop information model for migration to a DITA xml-base content management system and structure authoring tool.
  • Assist in developing training objectives and supporting documentation both for in-person and online delivery using RoboHelp.
  • Spearhead and develop an online documentation system utilizing XML design to replace paper manuals with on the fly documentation generation.
  • Gather and produce news sound clips.
  • Produce national television programming including short news roll-ins, teasers, man-on-the-street and fundraising clips.
  • Show more

Content developer example responsibilities.

  • Develop scripts to automate operations and optimize web performance (jQuery).
  • Manage, design, and create new HTML help look and feel that provide cost-effective ways to reuse content.
  • Analyze, plan, develop, QA, and deliver training courses for instructor lead training and web base training.
  • Manage social media marketing, including Instagram
  • Design a mobile-first responsive layout compliant with HTML5 and CSS3 standards.
  • Develop jQuery plugins, config files, Javascript files and CSS files.
  • Show more

Lead writer vs content developer skills

Common lead writer skills
  • Web Content, 17%
  • Content Strategy, 9%
  • Integrated Marketing, 8%
  • Video Scripts, 6%
  • Blog Posts, 5%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
Common content developer skills
  • Content Development, 10%
  • Digital Marketing, 8%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Digital Content, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%

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