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The differences between senior technical writers and managing 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 senior technical writer, becoming a managing editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $70,820 average annual salary of a senior technical writer.
The top three skills for a senior technical writer include technical documentation, subject matter experts and API. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.
| Senior Technical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $70,820 | $89,060 |
| Hourly rate | $34.05 | $42.82 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 80,897 | 16,781 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.
Senior technical writers and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Technical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average salary | $70,820 | $89,060 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $92,000 | Between $59,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Federal Reserve Bank |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Media |
There are a few differences between a senior technical writer and a managing editor in terms of educational background:
| Senior Technical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | English | Journalism |
| Most common college | University of Houston | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior technical writers' and managing editors' demographics:
| Senior Technical Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2% | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |