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Story editor vs technical editor

The differences between story editors and technical editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a story editor and a technical editor. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, which is higher than the $52,975 average annual salary of a story editor.

The top three skills for a story editor include fiction, story development and ABC. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Story editor vs technical editor overview

Story EditorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$52,975$61,717
Hourly rate$25.47$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs11,45878,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a story editor do?

An editor selects and edits the best news and stories to prepare them for publishing. Similarly, a story editor confers with their production chief to select writers and materials. Hiring, assigning, and supervising writers is also the responsibility of a story writer. They review the writers' work, read material, and assesses its potential development into scripts.

What does a technical editor do?

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.

Story editor vs technical editor salary

Story editors and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Story EditorTechnical Editor
Average salary$52,975$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $86,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyThe New York Times CompanyApple
Best paying industryMediaTechnology

Differences between story editor and technical editor education

There are a few differences between a story editor and a technical editor in terms of educational background:

Story EditorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Story editor vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between story editors' and technical editors' demographics:

Story EditorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 53.7% Female, 46.3%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between story editor and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Story editor example responsibilities.

  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Maintain website content and Facebook page content for viewers.
  • Collaborate with editor-in-chief to shape editorial direction of this monthly lifestyle magazine for the Chicago/Lake Michigan region.
  • Read and copyedit manuscripts for publication

Technical editor example responsibilities.

  • Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
  • Train course developers in advance features of FrameMaker and PowerPoint.
  • Remove PDF security from each document.
  • Update PDF variables for online help.
  • Research science, military, and historical-relate topics for DOD.
  • Create or obtain all necessary screen shots using SnagIt and Photoshop.
  • Show more

Story editor vs technical editor skills

Common story editor skills
  • Fiction, 32%
  • Story Development, 20%
  • ABC, 15%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • String Outs, 6%
  • Documentaries, 5%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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