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The differences between writers and technical editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a writer and a technical editor. Additionally, a writer has an average salary of $66,143, which is higher than the $61,717 average annual salary of a technical editor.
The top three skills for a writer include work ethic, customer service and web content. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.
| Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $66,143 | $61,717 |
| Hourly rate | $31.80 | $29.67 |
| Growth rate | 4% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 13,931 | 78,423 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry. Although they focus on varying types of writing, they all function to inform. Among the typical duties of writers involve producing content within allotted time or deadline, gather information and verify to ensure accuracy, proofread, and undergo review and revisions.
A technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.
Writers and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average salary | $66,143 | $61,717 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $107,000 | Between $47,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a writer and a technical editor in terms of educational background:
| Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between writers' and technical editors' demographics:
| Writer | Technical Editor | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 16% | 12% |