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The differences between staff writers and technical 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 technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, 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 technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.
| Staff Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,844 | $61,717 |
| Hourly rate | $21.56 | $29.67 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 80,547 | 78,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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 technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.
Staff writers and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average salary | $44,844 | $61,717 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $68,000 | Between $47,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Technology |
There are a few differences between a staff writer and a technical editor in terms of educational background:
| Staff Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between staff writers' and technical editors' demographics:
| Staff Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| 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, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |