Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between staff 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 staff 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 $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 production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Staff Writer | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,844 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $21.56 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 80,547 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| 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.
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.
Staff writers and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $44,844 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $68,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Media |
There are a few differences between a staff writer and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Staff Writer | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between staff writers' and production editors' demographics:
| Staff Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| 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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |