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The differences between sports writers and production 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 sports writer, becoming a production editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a production editor has an average salary of $53,275, which is higher than the $36,041 average annual salary of a sports writer.
The top three skills for a sports writer include SEO, game coverage and feature stories. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Sports Writer | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $36,041 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $17.33 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -10% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 16,981 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A sportswriter is responsible for delivering facts about ongoing sports happening around the world. They must be familiar with athletes such as footballers and swimmers. Sportswriter must understand not only sports but also the biographies of athletes. The core concern of a sportswriter is to write in a plain and understandable style.
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Sports writers and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sports Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $36,041 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $51,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a sports writer and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Sports Writer | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between sports writers' and production editors' demographics:
| Sports Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 8.8% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 12% |