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The differences between research writers and writers 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 writer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a writer has an average salary of $66,143, 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 writer are work ethic, customer service, and web content.
| Research Writer | Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $50,741 | $66,143 |
| Hourly rate | $24.39 | $31.80 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 60,595 | 13,931 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| 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 writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry. Although they focus on varying types of writing, they all function to inform. Among the typical duties of writers involve producing content within allotted time or deadline, gather information and verify to ensure accuracy, proofread, and undergo review and revisions.
Research writers and writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Writer | Writer | |
| Average salary | $50,741 | $66,143 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $80,000 | Between $40,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brookline, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | - |
There are a few differences between a research writer and a writer in terms of educational background:
| Research Writer | Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between research writers' and writers' demographics:
| Research Writer | Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% |
| 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, 6.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 16% |