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Writing consultant vs technical editor

The differences between writing consultants 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 writing consultant, becoming a technical editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, which is higher than the $32,574 average annual salary of a writing consultant.

The top three skills for a writing consultant include writing process, proper grammar and grammatical errors. The most important skills for a technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Writing consultant vs technical editor overview

Writing ConsultantTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$32,574$61,717
Hourly rate$15.66$29.67
Growth rate6%-5%
Number of jobs15,00378,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4644
Years of experience24

Writing consultant vs technical editor salary

Writing consultants and technical editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Writing ConsultantTechnical Editor
Average salary$32,574$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $50,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between writing consultant and technical editor education

There are a few differences between a writing consultant and a technical editor in terms of educational background:

Writing ConsultantTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonNorthwestern University

Writing consultant vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between writing consultants' and technical editors' demographics:

Writing ConsultantTechnical Editor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 33.1% Female, 66.9%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.2% 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 writing consultant and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Writing consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint documentation repository, including some administrator duties.
  • Provide exceptional knowledge of language, grammar, and composition in order to assist international students to achieve academic excellence.
  • Manipulate on-line content using HTML and CMS tools, e.g., Google pages and WordPress.
  • Gain proficiency in MLA, APA, and Chicago composition formats, and educate writers in the distinctions of each.
  • Apply different styles of writing such as AP, APA, MLA, and CMS to formatting and proofreading final copy.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for CEO.
  • 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

Writing consultant vs technical editor skills

Common writing consultant skills
  • Writing Process, 21%
  • Proper Grammar, 12%
  • Grammatical Errors, 10%
  • MLA, 6%
  • APA, 5%
  • ESL, 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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