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The differences between staff 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 staff 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 $44,844 average annual salary of a staff writer.
The top three skills for a staff writer include feature stories, news stories and event coverage. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.
| Staff Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,844 | $89,060 |
| Hourly rate | $21.56 | $42.82 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 80,547 | 16,781 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
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.
Staff writers and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average salary | $44,844 | $89,060 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $68,000 | Between $59,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | Federal Reserve Bank |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Media |
There are a few differences between a staff writer and a managing editor in terms of educational background:
| Staff Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Journalism | Journalism |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between staff writers' and managing editors' demographics:
| Staff Writer | Managing Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |