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Web writer vs staff writer

The differences between web writers and staff writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a web writer and a staff writer. Additionally, a web writer has an average salary of $54,533, which is higher than the $44,844 average annual salary of a staff writer.

The top three skills for a web writer include web content, writing articles and biographies. The most important skills for a staff writer are feature stories, news stories, and event coverage.

Web writer vs staff writer overview

Web WriterStaff Writer
Yearly salary$54,533$44,844
Hourly rate$26.22$21.56
Growth rate4%6%
Number of jobs22,62280,547
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4246
Years of experience22

What does a web writer do?

A web writer or website content writer is responsible for providing relevant content for various websites. They are tasked with writing excellently relevant content to attract the target audience. They play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO), which drives traffic and enhances sales. They are also responsible for explaining topics in a clear and actionable way.

What does a staff writer do?

A staff writer is an individual who works in the television (TV) or entertainment industry to provide standard content such as news reports, reviews, and features. Since writing content is important, staff writers must be able to collaborate and brainstorm ideas with other staff members in the production process. They must attend conferences, events, or seminars to meet other people in the industry. Staff writers must also possess knowledge in scriptwriting and an in-depth understanding of the entertainment industry.

Web writer vs staff writer salary

Web writers and staff writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Web WriterStaff Writer
Average salary$54,533$44,844
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $72,000Between $29,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-The New York Times Company
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between web writer and staff writer education

There are a few differences between a web writer and a staff writer in terms of educational background:

Web WriterStaff Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorEnglishJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Web writer vs staff writer demographics

Here are the differences between web writers' and staff writers' demographics:

Web WriterStaff Writer
Average age4246
Gender ratioMale, 44.0% Female, 56.0%Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage16%11%

Differences between web writer and staff writer duties and responsibilities

Web writer example responsibilities.

  • Update website daily, manage Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram accounts.
  • Create and edit content for business website and Facebook.
  • Pioneer writing sizing charts and technical information sidebars using HTML code.
  • Help social media efforts by creating corporate Facebook page and redesign and maintain a corporate blog.
  • Proof and edit content and create PowerPoint and Word.doc presentations for various marketing, city council and business/project relate meetings.
  • Integrate literary and performance poetry into prompts for student composition.
  • Show more

Staff writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage magazine's transition to a new CMS system.
  • Manage website by uploading and scheduling articles, fixing errors, proofreading, optimizing for SEO, and polishing content.
  • Manage arts and entertainment editorial calendar, assign stories to multiple freelancers and plan daily coverage.
  • Assist with copywriting, magazine and advertisement layout.
  • Research, verify facts and edit all contributor submissions.
  • Create unique columns commentating on the social state of hockey and the NHL.
  • Show more

Web writer vs staff writer skills

Common web writer skills
  • Web Content, 39%
  • Writing Articles, 17%
  • Biographies, 12%
  • Web Copy, 10%
  • Search Engine Optimization, 1%
  • Blog Posts, 1%
Common staff writer skills
  • Feature Stories, 9%
  • News Stories, 8%
  • Event Coverage, 7%
  • News Articles, 7%
  • SEO, 6%
  • Photography, 6%

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