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Senior writer vs assistant editor

The differences between senior writers and assistant 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 writer, becoming an assistant editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior writer has an average salary of $80,145, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for a senior writer include project management, web content and wordpress. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Senior writer vs assistant editor overview

Senior WriterAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$80,145$52,284
Hourly rate$38.53$25.14
Growth rate4%-5%
Number of jobs15,9958,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4244
Years of experience24

What does a senior writer do?

A senior writer is responsible for assisting junior writers in creating compositions and digital content according to business functions and client needs. A senior writer should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as well as extensive knowledge of composition structures and developing engaging pieces to attract the target audience and potential clients, driving resources for revenue and profits. They also coordinate with clients on any adjustments and instructions to support their goals and objectives.

What does an assistant editor do?

An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.

Senior writer vs assistant editor salary

Senior writers and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior WriterAssistant Editor
Average salary$80,145$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $117,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryProfessionalMedia

Differences between senior writer and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between a senior writer and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

Senior WriterAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Senior writer vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between senior writers' and assistant editors' demographics:

Senior WriterAssistant Editor
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 55.8% Female, 44.2%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%12%

Differences between senior writer and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Senior writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage agency's web site and Facebook page.
  • Volunteer to manage the company s intranet content, learning basic HTML coding.
  • Manage staff & contract writers, editors & proofreaders on large content and copywriting projects.
  • Manage publication review process, including technical and editorial review by in-house and outside reviewers.
  • Provide editorial and proofreading assistance with presentation and marketing materials, speeches and content development.
  • Skil with Snapchat and Instagram.
  • Show more

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Senior writer vs assistant editor skills

Common senior writer skills
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Web Content, 8%
  • WordPress, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Content Strategy, 5%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 4%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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