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Publishing editor vs technical editor

The differences between publishing editors and technical editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a publishing editor and a technical editor. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, which is higher than the $61,550 average annual salary of a publishing editor.

The top three skills for a publishing editor include web site, feature stories and edit content. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Publishing editor vs technical editor overview

Publishing EditorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$61,550$61,717
Hourly rate$29.59$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs4,56278,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a publishing editor do?

Publishing Editors tend to earn around $56K per year in a career that demands creativity, language, and writing skills, as well as being detail-oriented and possessing good judgment and interpersonal skills. Though not required, most will have at least a bachelor's degree in English, communications, or journalism for this career, which calls for deciding the style and content of various publications or even the entire publication content in managerial roles.

What does a technical editor do?

A technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.

Publishing editor vs technical editor salary

Publishing editors and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Publishing EditorTechnical Editor
Average salary$61,550$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $85,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between publishing editor and technical editor education

There are a few differences between a publishing editor and a technical editor in terms of educational background:

Publishing EditorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Publishing editor vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between publishing editors' and technical editors' demographics:

Publishing EditorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 52.6% Female, 47.4%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.9% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between publishing editor and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Publishing editor example responsibilities.

  • Supervise all editorial activities, including developing editorial story boards, managing freelance copywriters and directing contract photo assignments.
  • Use HTML encoding when formatting content.
  • Drive readership through the use of professional and social media and SEO.
  • Oversee corporation s digital marketing strategy: SEM, SEO, PPC.
  • Implement emerging social media platforms (Facebook, MySpace) as a marketing tool.
  • Hire and direct staff of Facebook, Pinterest, writers, account executives, photographers.
  • Show more

Technical editor example responsibilities.

  • Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
  • Train course developers in advance features of FrameMaker and PowerPoint.
  • Remove PDF security from each document.
  • Update PDF variables for online help.
  • Research science, military, and historical-relate topics for DOD.
  • Create or obtain all necessary screen shots using SnagIt and Photoshop.
  • Show more

Publishing editor vs technical editor skills

Common publishing editor skills
  • Web Site, 11%
  • Feature Stories, 10%
  • Edit Content, 7%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
  • Content Development, 5%
  • Digital Photography, 4%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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