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Lead writer vs writer and editor

The differences between lead writers and writer and 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 lead writer, becoming a writer and editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lead writer has an average salary of $96,798, which is higher than the $61,482 average annual salary of a writer and editor.

The top three skills for a lead writer include web content, content strategy and integrated marketing. The most important skills for a writer and editor are web content, blog posts, and press releases.

Lead writer vs writer and editor overview

Lead WriterWriter And Editor
Yearly salary$96,798$61,482
Hourly rate$46.54$29.56
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs11,36714,865
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4644
Years of experience24

Lead writer vs writer and editor salary

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

Lead WriterWriter And Editor
Average salary$96,798$61,482
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $150,000Between $36,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Internet

Differences between lead writer and writer and editor education

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

Lead WriterWriter And Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Lead writer vs writer and editor demographics

Here are the differences between lead writers' and writer and editors' demographics:

Lead WriterWriter And Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 61.9% Female, 38.1%Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0%
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, 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 lead writer and writer and editor 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

Writer and editor example responsibilities.

  • Update website daily, manage Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram accounts.
  • Create articles featuring campus faculty and students, as well as lifestyle tips, and opinion editorials.
  • Work closely with magazine's editor-in-chief to hash out design ideas and content.
  • Gain 9k twitter followers in four months, and create a consistent fan base.
  • Assign stories to writers, edit them with SEO in mind, then post to proprietary CMS.
  • Pitch, write, and publish full length book/news relate articles-Edit and format images, SEO, HTML formatting
  • Show more

Lead writer vs writer and editor 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 writer and editor skills
  • Web Content, 23%
  • Blog Posts, 8%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Writing Articles, 3%
  • Feature Stories, 3%
  • Photography, 3%

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