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Lead writer vs technical writer

The differences between lead writers and technical writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a lead writer and a technical writer. Additionally, a lead writer has an average salary of $96,798, which is higher than the $65,329 average annual salary of a technical writer.

The top three skills for a lead writer include web content, content strategy and integrated marketing. The most important skills for a technical writer are technical documentation, subject matter experts, and powerpoint.

Lead writer vs technical writer overview

Lead WriterTechnical Writer
Yearly salary$96,798$65,329
Hourly rate$46.54$31.41
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs11,36775,090
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

Lead writer vs technical writer salary

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

Lead WriterTechnical Writer
Average salary$96,798$65,329
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $150,000Between $48,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between lead writer and technical writer education

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

Lead WriterTechnical Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Houston

Lead writer vs technical writer demographics

Here are the differences between lead writers' and technical writers' demographics:

Lead WriterTechnical Writer
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 61.9% Female, 38.1%Male, 49.7% Female, 50.3%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between lead writer and technical writer 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

Technical writer example responsibilities.

  • Analyze the requirements of the RFP to understand the customer s solution needs and to identify potential discriminators for competitive advantage.
  • Manage consulting projects including UNIX installation and maintenance on various engineering workstation platforms.
  • Create and manage print and online documentation for Linux and web-base security software.
  • Manage security program for DoD classify magnetic media, classify documents and physical security systems.
  • Develop software requirements documents for proprietary medical software device; manage documents through SDLC in fda-regulate environment.
  • Help company achieve ISO registration by determining best practices, writing ISO compliant manufacturing instructions and teaching best manufacturing processes.
  • Show more

Lead writer vs technical writer 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 technical writer skills
  • Technical Documentation, 9%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Visio, 4%
  • SharePoint, 4%
  • Test Procedures, 4%

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