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Technical writer and editor vs writer and editor

The differences between technical writer and editors and writer and 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 technical writer and editor, becoming a writer and editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical writer and editor has an average salary of $65,088, which is higher than the $61,482 average annual salary of a writer and editor.

The top three skills for a technical writer and editor include technical documentation, powerpoint and technical specifications. The most important skills for a writer and editor are web content, blog posts, and press releases.

Technical writer and editor vs writer and editor overview

Technical Writer And EditorWriter And Editor
Yearly salary$65,088$61,482
Hourly rate$31.29$29.56
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs78,61714,865
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4644
Years of experience24

What does a technical writer and editor do?

A technical writer and editor is primarily responsible for producing written content that defines and explains technical concepts to inform and educate readers. As a writer, it is essential to research and fact-check details to ensure the material's accuracy and value. They mostly follow directives and complete materials within an allotted deadline and format. Moreover, as an editor, they must also review and proofread materials for any errors and inconsistencies, perform corrective measures, and revise as needed.

What does a writer and editor do?

Writing is not an easy task, so a Writer and an Editor must work together to deliver quality content. A writer's role is to gather information to create a structured written material that would serve its purpose, whether for recreational or informational. Moreover, it is the Editor's responsibility to oversee and examine what the Writer has produced. From this, the Editor will provide feedback, corrections or suggestions, and guidelines that the Writer can follow to improve the material.

Technical writer and editor vs writer and editor salary

Technical writer and editors and writer and editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical Writer And EditorWriter And Editor
Average salary$65,088$61,482
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $82,000Between $36,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateArizonaConnecticut
Best paying companyPegasystemsApple
Best paying industryTechnologyInternet

Differences between technical writer and editor and writer and editor education

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

Technical Writer And EditorWriter And Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonNorthwestern University

Technical writer and editor vs writer and editor demographics

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

Technical Writer And EditorWriter And Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 41.7% Female, 58.3%Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%12%

Differences between technical writer and editor and writer and editor duties and responsibilities

Technical writer and editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage content development and consistency utilizing exemplary editing and proofreading skills.
  • Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
  • Develop self running media presentations and eLearning content.
  • Update Microsoft Visio diagrams displaying customer site computer hardware.
  • Experience in updating revisions to DoD technical and programmatic documentation.
  • Provide quick proofreading, production editing, and developmental editing.
  • Show more

Writer and editor example responsibilities.

  • Update website daily, manage Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram accounts.
  • Create articles featuring campus faculty and students, as well as lifestyle tips, and opinion editorials.
  • Work closely with magazine's editor-in-chief to hash out design ideas and content.
  • Gain 9k twitter followers in four months, and create a consistent fan base.
  • Assign stories to writers, edit them with SEO in mind, then post to proprietary CMS.
  • Pitch, write, and publish full length book/news relate articles-Edit and format images, SEO, HTML formatting
  • Show more

Technical writer and editor vs writer and editor skills

Common technical writer and editor skills
  • Technical Documentation, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Technical Specifications, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • DOD, 5%
  • Engineering Drawings, 4%
Common writer and editor skills
  • Web Content, 23%
  • Blog Posts, 8%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Writing Articles, 3%
  • Feature Stories, 3%
  • Photography, 3%

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