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The differences between technical 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 technical writer, becoming a production editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical writer has an average salary of $65,329, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for a technical writer include technical documentation, subject matter experts and powerpoint. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Technical Writer | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $65,329 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $31.41 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 75,090 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Technical Writers specialize in producing easy-to-understand instructional or informational written materials, such as media and journal articles, assessments and guidelines, and legal forms of documentation. For Technical Writers to develop well-versed content, one must conduct thorough research on the topic or idea to ensure factual legitimacy and communicate with those whose expertise aligns with the subject. Aside from producing, Technical Writers can also improve or convert complex written materials such as operating manuals or documents into one that can be easily understood by the general public.
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.
Technical writers and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $65,329 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $87,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Meta | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Media |
There are a few differences between a technical writer and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Technical Writer | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | University of Houston | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between technical writers' and production editors' demographics:
| Technical Writer | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.7% Female, 50.3% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.6% 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% |