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Senior documentation specialist vs research writer

The differences between senior documentation specialists and research 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 senior documentation specialist and a research writer. Additionally, a research writer has an average salary of $50,741, which is higher than the $45,943 average annual salary of a senior documentation specialist.

The top three skills for a senior documentation specialist include data entry, federal regulations and sharepoint. The most important skills for a research writer are research topics, press releases, and editorials.

Senior documentation specialist vs research writer overview

Senior Documentation SpecialistResearch Writer
Yearly salary$45,943$50,741
Hourly rate$22.09$24.39
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs8,43660,595
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a senior documentation specialist do?

A senior documentation specialist has the responsibility of leading a team of documentation specialists. They are responsible for the distribution of the documentations their team has written. They oversee new storage systems and optimize the efficiency of existing systems. Ultimately, they preserve documents for their company.

What does a research writer do?

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.

Senior documentation specialist vs research writer salary

Senior documentation specialists and research writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Documentation SpecialistResearch Writer
Average salary$45,943$50,741
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $90,000Between $32,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Brookline, MA
Highest paying state-Virginia
Best paying company-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between senior documentation specialist and research writer education

There are a few differences between a senior documentation specialist and a research writer in terms of educational background:

Senior Documentation SpecialistResearch Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Senior documentation specialist vs research writer demographics

Here are the differences between senior documentation specialists' and research writers' demographics:

Senior Documentation SpecialistResearch Writer
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 28.8% Female, 71.2%Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between senior documentation specialist and research writer duties and responsibilities

Senior documentation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create ATF scripts to automate the generation of secure PDF outputs.
  • Use SharePoint to organize and consolidate diverse content from multiple locations into a centrally manage repository with consistent categorization.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations, Visio flow charts, and end-user newsletter.
  • Produce weekly command staff meeting PowerPoint slides.
  • Update standards and procedures per ISO and UL.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations with the instruction to build parts and units.
  • Show more

Research writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the proposal lifecycle, including RFP analysis, regular communications, proposal development and production consistent with branding strategies.
  • Upload content and photos on Wordpress and create SEO meta descriptions.
  • Recognize by audience as thought leader in NFL coverage and commentary.
  • Assist the editor-in-chief with expanding the team of contributing writers to attract readers.
  • Proofread and spell check written content, review articles, videos, and books regarding the given topic.
  • Research various topics base on clients requests in order to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO).
  • Show more

Senior documentation specialist vs research writer skills

Common senior documentation specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Federal Regulations, 5%
  • SharePoint, 5%
  • SR, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • UCC, 4%
Common research writer skills
  • Research Topics, 15%
  • Press Releases, 13%
  • Editorials, 8%
  • Web Content, 6%
  • Conduct Research, 6%
  • Oral Histories, 4%

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