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The differences between principal technical writers and senior technical trainers 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 senior technical trainer. Additionally, a senior technical trainer has an average salary of $95,726, 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 senior technical trainer are training materials, course content, and powerpoint.
| Principal Technical Writer | Senior Technical Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $66,896 | $95,726 |
| Hourly rate | $32.16 | $46.02 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 118,883 | 89,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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.
A senior technical trainer develops and conducts technical training programs. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis, establishing guidelines and schedules, preparing and arranging activities, creating training materials such as manuals and systems, providing handouts, and facilitating discussions. They conduct training in a variety of tasks such as installations, repairs, upgrades, and maintenance of systems. Moreover, as a senior technical trainer, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model to junior technical trainers, all while promoting the company's policies and regulations.
Principal technical writers and senior technical trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Technical Writer | Senior Technical Trainer | |
| Average salary | $66,896 | $95,726 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $88,000 | Between $70,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Arizona |
| Best paying company | - | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between a principal technical writer and a senior technical trainer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Technical Writer | Senior Technical Trainer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | English | Business |
| Most common college | University of Houston | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between principal technical writers' and senior technical trainers' demographics:
| Principal Technical Writer | Senior Technical Trainer | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.9% Female, 48.1% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| 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, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |