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The differences between research writers and content editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a research writer, becoming a content editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a content editor has an average salary of $61,694, which is higher than the $50,741 average annual salary of a research writer.
The top three skills for a research writer include research topics, press releases and editorials. The most important skills for a content editor are digital content, web content, and digital marketing.
| Research Writer | Content Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $50,741 | $61,694 |
| Hourly rate | $24.39 | $29.66 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 60,595 | 18,586 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
A content editor is an individual who is responsible for proof-reading articles written by content writers and write blog posts to promote the products and services of an organization. Content editors are responsible for producing monthly newsletters and optimize written pieces to increase user engagement. They need to interact with the consumers with the purpose of sourcing feedback on the content's impact actively. Content editors must also conduct business research on current trends to give the company an edge over the competition.
Research writers and content editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Writer | Content Editor | |
| Average salary | $50,741 | $61,694 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $80,000 | Between $41,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brookline, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New York |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Technology |
There are a few differences between a research writer and a content editor in terms of educational background:
| Research Writer | Content Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between research writers' and content editors' demographics:
| Research Writer | Content Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |