Post job

Technical writer lead vs writer

The differences between technical writer leads and writers 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 writer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical writer lead has an average salary of $66,624, which is higher than the $66,143 average annual salary of a writer.

The top three skills for a technical writer lead include technical documentation, subject matter experts and maintenance procedures. The most important skills for a writer are work ethic, customer service, and web content.

Technical writer lead vs writer overview

Technical Writer LeadWriter
Yearly salary$66,624$66,143
Hourly rate$32.03$31.80
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs75,69713,931
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4642
Years of experience24

Technical writer lead vs writer salary

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

Technical Writer LeadWriter
Average salary$66,624$66,143
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $85,000Between $40,000 And $107,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry--

Differences between technical writer lead and writer education

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

Technical Writer LeadWriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Technical writer lead vs writer demographics

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

Technical Writer LeadWriter
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8%
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, 6.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%16%

Differences between technical writer lead and writer 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

Writer example responsibilities.

  • Operate AP NEWSCENTER/ENPS and manage CNN feed services.
  • Manage the Instagram account, which mean publishing and keeping up to date with the articles.
  • Manage projects diligently under aggressive deadlines while maintaining editorial integrity and ensuring stories have entertainment and/or educational value.
  • Participate in roundtable discussions offering hot takes and opinions on NBA and NFL teams, players, and coaches.
  • Train all staff on using the CMS.
  • Place stories into CS3 InDesign pages.
  • Show more

Technical writer lead vs writer 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 writer skills
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Web Content, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • SEO, 5%
  • SQL, 3%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs