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The differences between principal technical 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 principal technical writer and a contract writer. Additionally, a contract writer has an average salary of $91,260, which is higher than the $66,896 average annual salary of a principal technical writer.
The top three skills for a principal technical writer include java, develop user and XML. The most important skills for a contract writer are web content, SEO, and press releases.
| Principal Technical Writer | Contract Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $66,896 | $91,260 |
| Hourly rate | $32.16 | $43.88 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 118,883 | 23,671 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Principal technical writers and contract writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Technical Writer | Contract Writer | |
| Average salary | $66,896 | $91,260 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $88,000 | Between $61,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a principal technical writer and a contract writer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Technical Writer | Contract Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | University of Houston | University of Houston |
Here are the differences between principal technical writers' and contract writers' demographics:
| Principal Technical Writer | Contract Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.9% Female, 48.1% | Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.3% 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 Percentage | 11% | 16% |