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The differences between acquisitions editors and production editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an acquisitions editor and a production editor. Additionally, an acquisitions editor has an average salary of $60,342, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for an acquisitions editor include project management, market trends and market research. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Acquisitions Editor | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $60,342 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $29.01 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 12,281 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
As the name entails, acquisitions editors acquire manuscripts for use by the publishing house. Your day-to-day duties typically include analyzing the current market, trends, and customer interests, deciding which manuscripts to move forward with, and developing profitable content for publishers. In addition, you will be responsible for reviewing unsolicited manuscripts from authors, and building and maintaining strong relationships with authors and their agents. You will also be responsible for preparing proposals for the board.
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Acquisitions editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Acquisitions Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $60,342 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $105,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Ossining, NY | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | SAGE Publishing | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Media |
There are a few differences between an acquisitions editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Acquisitions Editor | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between acquisitions editors' and production editors' demographics:
| Acquisitions Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |