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Senior writer vs news editor

The differences between senior writers and news 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 a news editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior writer has an average salary of $80,145, which is higher than the $53,822 average annual salary of a news editor.

The top three skills for a senior writer include project management, web content and wordpress. The most important skills for a news editor are news stories, news coverage, and instagram.

Senior writer vs news editor overview

Senior WriterNews Editor
Yearly salary$80,145$53,822
Hourly rate$38.53$25.88
Growth rate4%-5%
Number of jobs15,99512,484
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 a news editor do?

A News Editor reviews and changes the content of a publication provided by writers and other contributors. They generally work for newspapers, magazines, and websites.

Senior writer vs news editor salary

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

Senior WriterNews Editor
Average salary$80,145$53,822
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $117,000Between $35,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between senior writer and news editor education

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

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

Senior writer vs news editor demographics

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

Senior WriterNews Editor
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 55.8% Female, 44.2%Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%12%

Differences between senior writer and news 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

News editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage the day-to-day production of the Olympics section as needed.
  • Manage online web CMS, updating metadata, optimizing SEO, editing HTML/CSS, and directing UX/UI updates.
  • Manage content on various CMS systems, including HTML coding and training numerous staff members on various CMS systems.
  • Maintain editorial calendar, manage freelance budget and coordinate with photo editor and designers to help ensure optimal presentation of stories.
  • Cover NFL playoffs and NCAA tournament games.
  • Cover UConn s 2014 NCAA tournament championship run on site.
  • Show more

Senior writer vs news editor skills

Common senior writer skills
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Web Content, 8%
  • WordPress, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Content Strategy, 5%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 4%
Common news editor skills
  • News Stories, 10%
  • News Coverage, 8%
  • Instagram, 8%
  • Twitter, 7%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Facebook, 7%

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