Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between specifications writers and staff 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 specifications writer and a staff writer. Additionally, a specifications writer has an average salary of $72,326, which is higher than the $44,844 average annual salary of a staff writer.
The top three skills for a specifications writer include technical specifications, data sheets and leed. The most important skills for a staff writer are feature stories, news stories, and event coverage.
| Specifications Writer | Staff Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $72,326 | $44,844 |
| Hourly rate | $34.77 | $21.56 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 15,596 | 80,547 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A specifications writer specializes in developing and producing written materials that focus on technical descriptions of products, materials, and procedures. Their responsibilities include understanding and interpreting plans and processes, coordinating with engineers and other experts, creating sketches and diagrams, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They must also work together with editors, performing revisions as needed. Furthermore, as a specifications writer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
A staff writer is an individual who works in the television (TV) or entertainment industry to provide standard content such as news reports, reviews, and features. Since writing content is important, staff writers must be able to collaborate and brainstorm ideas with other staff members in the production process. They must attend conferences, events, or seminars to meet other people in the industry. Staff writers must also possess knowledge in scriptwriting and an in-depth understanding of the entertainment industry.
Specifications writers and staff writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Specifications Writer | Staff Writer | |
| Average salary | $72,326 | $44,844 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $105,000 | Between $29,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | The New York Times Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a specifications writer and a staff writer in terms of educational background:
| Specifications Writer | Staff Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Business | Journalism |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between specifications writers' and staff writers' demographics:
| Specifications Writer | Staff Writer | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |