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Web content editor vs journalist

The differences between web content editors and journalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a web content editor, becoming a journalist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a journalist has an average salary of $60,828, which is higher than the $56,596 average annual salary of a web content editor.

The top three skills for a web content editor include web content, wordpress and HTML. The most important skills for a journalist are news stories, multimedia, and story development.

Web content editor vs journalist overview

Web Content EditorJournalist
Yearly salary$56,596$60,828
Hourly rate$27.21$29.24
Growth rate-5%-10%
Number of jobs25,15811,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4440
Years of experience42

What does a web content editor do?

A web content editor writes and edits articles for various online platforms, mainly to inform, raise brand awareness, or market products and services. They are responsible for producing high-quality and accurate content, which requires research, planning, and teamwork. A web content editor focuses on editing and correcting written materials, coordinating with content writers to help them improve their articles. Moreover, there are also instances where they must upload written materials on online platforms, adhering to protocols and standards while tracking website traffic.

What does a journalist do?

A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms. Journalists should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, conveying information to the target audience with high accuracy and efficiency. They analyze opinions and testimonies, create eye-catching headlines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.

Web content editor vs journalist salary

Web content editors and journalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Web Content EditorJournalist
Average salary$56,596$60,828
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $75,000Between $38,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictBloomberg
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between web content editor and journalist education

There are a few differences between a web content editor and a journalist in terms of educational background:

Web Content EditorJournalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorEnglishJournalism
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Web content editor vs journalist demographics

Here are the differences between web content editors' and journalists' demographics:

Web Content EditorJournalist
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%10%

Differences between web content editor and journalist duties and responsibilities

Web content editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage company's e-commerce product line CMS platform including: updating pages and product descriptions (HTML).
  • Manage the firm's intranet by developing content, programming with HTML and CSS, and daily maintenance.
  • Hire directly to manage ongoing projects editing, proofreading, formatting, and publishing content on Diaphoramagazine.com.
  • Produce content for social networking sites, including Facebook.
  • Assist in the seamless online transition from Drupal to Libercus.
  • Participate in the development of websites, Facebook pages, and paperwork for various companies.
  • Show more

Journalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage studio operations, ensuring that shows run efficiently by floor directing, prompting and providing scripts.
  • Partner closely with 13WHAM ABC Rochester.
  • Award regional EMMY for spot news.
  • Edit headline packages, kickers, bumps and topicals.
  • Update stories to web page, twitter, and facebook.
  • Used ENG trucks to distribute live news feeds during broadcasts.
  • Show more

Web content editor vs journalist skills

Common web content editor skills
  • Web Content, 31%
  • WordPress, 6%
  • HTML, 4%
  • CSS, 4%
  • Proofreading, 4%
  • Content Management System, 4%
Common journalist skills
  • News Stories, 15%
  • Multimedia, 11%
  • Story Development, 11%
  • Local Community, 7%
  • Edit Video, 5%
  • Local News, 4%

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