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The differences between principal technical writers and research 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 research writer. Additionally, a principal technical writer has an average salary of $66,896, which is higher than the $50,741 average annual salary of a research writer.
The top three skills for a principal technical writer include java, develop user and XML. The most important skills for a research writer are research topics, press releases, and editorials.
| Principal Technical Writer | Research Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $66,896 | $50,741 |
| Hourly rate | $32.16 | $24.39 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 118,883 | 60,595 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Principal Technical Writer creates useful tutorials, videos, and product documentation in fast-paced environments. Besides writing highly technical content describing the product functionality, Principal Technical Writers also develop project programs, maintain specific project schedules and update the documentation manager about the documentation status. They put together and offer online help and enhance the first-user experience by developing tutorials. Moreover, a Principal Technical Writer delivers meaningful UI strings and useful error-free messages by working hand-in-hand with user experience team members.
Research writers are professionals who conduct extensive research by taking complex information and then explaining it in lay terminology. These writers are required to conduct extensive research on various topics based on the requests of their clients to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO). They must work with a wide variety of clients who specialize in web content to complete strategic research and content creation projects. Research writers must also manage research projects for companies, local and overseas.
Principal technical writers and research writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Technical Writer | Research Writer | |
| Average salary | $66,896 | $50,741 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $88,000 | Between $32,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Brookline, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Virginia |
| Best paying company | - | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital |
| Best paying industry | - | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a principal technical writer and a research writer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Technical Writer | Research Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | University of Houston | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between principal technical writers' and research writers' demographics:
| Principal Technical Writer | Research Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.9% Female, 48.1% | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% |
| 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |