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The differences between research writers and senior technical 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 research writer and a senior technical writer. Additionally, a senior technical writer has an average salary of $70,820, 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 senior technical writer are technical documentation, subject matter experts, and API.
| Research Writer | Senior Technical Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $50,741 | $70,820 |
| Hourly rate | $24.39 | $34.05 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 60,595 | 80,897 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 senior technical writer's role is to oversee the progress within a team or department, ensuring quality and timeliness. It is their responsibility to delegate tasks, set deadlines, carry out corrective measures on any issues, and implement the company's regulations and policies. There are also instances when they participate in producing written content, even editing and reviewing materials of the staff. As someone with more experience, a senior technical writer must encourage and lead fellow writers, shaping them into valuable assets.
Research writers and senior technical writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Writer | Senior Technical Writer | |
| Average salary | $50,741 | $70,820 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $80,000 | Between $54,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brookline, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | California |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | PayPal |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Technology |
There are a few differences between a research writer and a senior technical writer in terms of educational background:
| Research Writer | Senior Technical Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Houston |
Here are the differences between research writers' and senior technical writers' demographics:
| Research Writer | Senior Technical Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2% |
| 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, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |