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Technical writer lead vs technical editor

The differences between technical writer leads 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 technical writer lead, becoming a technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical writer lead has an average salary of $66,624, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.

The top three skills for a technical writer lead include technical documentation, subject matter experts and maintenance procedures. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Technical writer lead vs technical editor overview

Technical Writer LeadTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$66,624$61,717
Hourly rate$32.03$29.67
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs75,69778,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4644
Years of experience24

Technical writer lead vs technical editor salary

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

Technical Writer LeadTechnical Editor
Average salary$66,624$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $85,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between technical writer lead and technical editor education

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

Technical Writer LeadTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonNorthwestern University

Technical writer lead vs technical editor demographics

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

Technical Writer LeadTechnical Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%12%

Differences between technical writer lead and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Technical writer lead example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate meetings, write and edit documentation, maintain SharePoint database, manage high-visibility special projects in a fast-pace environment.
  • Design graphics and illustrations for product documentation and training materials (CorelDraw and Visio).
  • Model include XML, HTML, and style sheet templates, guidelines, and training sessions.
  • Collaborate with SMEs to understand technical specifications.
  • Design an HTML instructional help system for a secure-encryption network product.
  • Process documents though the BCCR process for FDA regulations and legal requirements.
  • Show more

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

Technical writer lead vs technical editor skills

Common technical writer lead skills
  • Technical Documentation, 8%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 7%
  • Maintenance Procedures, 6%
  • Status Reports, 6%
  • Engineering Drawings, 5%
  • User Guides, 4%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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