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Magazine writer vs contract writer

The differences between magazine writers and contract 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 magazine writer and a contract writer. Additionally, a contract writer has an average salary of $91,260, which is higher than the $54,951 average annual salary of a magazine writer.

The top three skills for a magazine writer include photo shoots, writing articles and feature stories. The most important skills for a contract writer are web content, SEO, and press releases.

Magazine writer vs contract writer overview

Magazine WriterContract Writer
Yearly salary$54,951$91,260
Hourly rate$26.42$43.88
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs10,20423,671
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4642
Years of experience22

Magazine writer vs contract writer salary

Magazine writers and contract writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Magazine WriterContract Writer
Average salary$54,951$91,260
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $90,000Between $61,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between magazine writer and contract writer education

There are a few differences between a magazine writer and a contract writer in terms of educational background:

Magazine WriterContract Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Houston

Magazine writer vs contract writer demographics

Here are the differences between magazine writers' and contract writers' demographics:

Magazine WriterContract Writer
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%16%

Differences between magazine writer and contract writer duties and responsibilities

Magazine writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the Instagram account, which mean publishing and keeping up to date with the articles.
  • Pitch, write and photograph audience-aligned content, which are centered on the European-American luxury lifestyle in the greater Chicago area
  • Work with Microsoft programs, quark, and cash register.

Contract writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the proposal lifecycle, including RFP analysis, regular communications, proposal development and production consistent with branding strategies.
  • Manage the proposal lifecycle, including RFP analysis, regular communications, proposal development and production consistent with branding strategies.
  • Interview subject matter experts and process source data to write biographies and profiles.
  • Post social media and hospital promotional/patient testimonial YouTube videos.

Magazine writer vs contract writer skills

Common magazine writer skills
  • Photo Shoots, 18%
  • Writing Articles, 15%
  • Feature Stories, 11%
  • Alumni, 11%
  • Indesign, 9%
  • News Articles, 8%
Common contract writer skills
  • Web Content, 15%
  • SEO, 12%
  • Press Releases, 12%
  • Blog Posts, 12%
  • Website Copy, 4%
  • Copywriting, 4%

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