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Principal technical writer vs writing consultant

The differences between principal technical writers and writing consultants 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 writing consultant. Additionally, a principal technical writer has an average salary of $66,896, which is higher than the $32,574 average annual salary of a writing consultant.

The top three skills for a principal technical writer include java, develop user and XML. The most important skills for a writing consultant are writing process, proper grammar, and grammatical errors.

Principal technical writer vs writing consultant overview

Principal Technical WriterWriting Consultant
Yearly salary$66,896$32,574
Hourly rate$32.16$15.66
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs118,88315,003
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

Principal technical writer vs writing consultant salary

Principal technical writers and writing consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Principal Technical WriterWriting Consultant
Average salary$66,896$32,574
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $88,000Between $21,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between principal technical writer and writing consultant education

There are a few differences between a principal technical writer and a writing consultant in terms of educational background:

Principal Technical WriterWriting Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonUniversity of Houston

Principal technical writer vs writing consultant demographics

Here are the differences between principal technical writers' and writing consultants' demographics:

Principal Technical WriterWriting Consultant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 51.9% Female, 48.1%Male, 33.1% Female, 66.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between principal technical writer and writing consultant duties and responsibilities

Principal technical writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage acquisition and implementation of DITA component content management (CCM) system.
  • Create and manage print and online documentation for Linux and web-base security software.
  • Pioneer conversion of FrameMaker documents to XML (DITA), including definition of standards and creation of initial phrase libraries.
  • Research data scrubbing, data profiling, and ETL technologies.
  • Detail component-level repair, upgrade and troubleshooting as well as software upgrades and debugging.
  • Modify XML instance data files to conform to specification changes and incorporate technical changes to text and graphics.
  • Show more

Writing consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint documentation repository, including some administrator duties.
  • Provide exceptional knowledge of language, grammar, and composition in order to assist international students to achieve academic excellence.
  • Manipulate on-line content using HTML and CMS tools, e.g., Google pages and WordPress.
  • Gain proficiency in MLA, APA, and Chicago composition formats, and educate writers in the distinctions of each.
  • Apply different styles of writing such as AP, APA, MLA, and CMS to formatting and proofreading final copy.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for CEO.
  • Show more

Principal technical writer vs writing consultant skills

Common principal technical writer skills
  • Java, 18%
  • Develop User, 12%
  • XML, 6%
  • API, 5%
  • Technical Publications, 5%
  • User Manuals, 5%
Common writing consultant skills
  • Writing Process, 21%
  • Proper Grammar, 12%
  • Grammatical Errors, 10%
  • MLA, 6%
  • APA, 5%
  • ESL, 4%

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