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Script writer vs contributing writer

The differences between script writers and contributing 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 script writer and a contributing writer. Additionally, a script writer has an average salary of $64,254, which is higher than the $51,372 average annual salary of a contributing writer.

The top three skills for a script writer include test cases, test scripts and database. The most important skills for a contributing writer are lifestyle, web content, and SEO.

Script writer vs contributing writer overview

Script WriterContributing Writer
Yearly salary$64,254$51,372
Hourly rate$30.89$24.70
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs15,22210,292
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a script writer do?

Scriptwriting is an art and craft that requires both imagination and creativity to create entertaining content and tell a story in both dialogue and picture. The script can be educational, training, film, television programs, or entertainment. The duties and responsibilities include creating characters and coming up with skeleton plots for the producer to direct the narrative and determine the outcome of events.

What does a contributing writer do?

A contributing writer is responsible for contributing content to a publication or a specific client, typically on a freelance basis. Contributing writers must have a strong command of their language and extensive understanding of the topics assigned to them. They should be keen on details, perfecting grammar usage with proper writing elements. A contributing writer performs in-depth research to support content, ensuring the accuracy of information to release a high-quality article and serve a good read for the target audience. Contributing writers must have excellent time-management and communication skills, especially on meeting deadlines and doing revisions.

Script writer vs contributing writer salary

Script writers and contributing writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Script WriterContributing Writer
Average salary$64,254$51,372
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $106,000Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityPleasanton, CA-
Highest paying stateVirginia-
Best paying companySnap-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between script writer and contributing writer education

There are a few differences between a script writer and a contributing writer in terms of educational background:

Script WriterContributing Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorCommunicationJournalism
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Script writer vs contributing writer demographics

Here are the differences between script writers' and contributing writers' demographics:

Script WriterContributing Writer
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 54.2% Female, 45.8%Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between script writer and contributing writer duties and responsibilities

Script writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage projects diligently under aggressive deadlines while maintaining editorial integrity and ensuring stories have entertainment and/or educational value.
  • Update and track progress test in database.
  • Produce several very successful features on DVD.
  • Contract to write and present ESL videos for company YouTube channel.
  • Provide technical support to the team developing QTP scripts and VBScript programs.
  • Develop and maintain QTP scripts for functional, sanity, and regression testing.
  • Show more

Contributing writer example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with overseas team and manage documents using SharePoint to conceptualize and generate new marketing content.
  • Pitch, write and photograph audience-aligned content, which are centered on the European-American luxury lifestyle in the greater Chicago area
  • Create SharePoint site for marketing and communications that include project tracking, document governance and collaboration space.

Script writer vs contributing writer skills

Common script writer skills
  • Test Cases, 20%
  • Test Scripts, 20%
  • Database, 19%
  • QTP, 14%
  • Video Production, 12%
  • Windows, 6%
Common contributing writer skills
  • Lifestyle, 13%
  • Web Content, 7%
  • SEO, 6%
  • Feature Stories, 6%
  • Conduct Interviews, 5%
  • Blog Posts, 5%

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