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The differences between scientific writers and technical 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 scientific writer, becoming a technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a scientific writer has an average salary of $99,550, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.
The top three skills for a scientific writer include IND, NDA and abstracts. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.
| Scientific Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $99,550 | $61,717 |
| Hourly rate | $47.86 | $29.67 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 15,960 | 78,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Scientific writers are professionals who are responsible for conducting research and writing articles that are related to scientific topics for many different kinds of publications and scientific journals. These writers are required to conduct interviews with scientists and other important people to ensure accurate information about the essays they are writing. They must adapt and comply with in-house style guides as well as perform copy-editing and proofreading duties. Scientific writers must also build up a network of contacts with other professionals in the industry such as press officers, PR executives, and researchers.
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.
Scientific writers and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Scientific Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average salary | $99,550 | $61,717 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $150,000 | Between $47,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, VA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Technology |
There are a few differences between a scientific writer and a technical editor in terms of educational background:
| Scientific Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Biology | English |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between scientific writers' and technical editors' demographics:
| Scientific Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| 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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |