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The differences between acquisitions editors and senior writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an acquisitions editor, becoming a senior writer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior writer has an average salary of $80,145, which is higher than the $60,342 average annual salary of an acquisitions editor.
The top three skills for an acquisitions editor include project management, market trends and market research. The most important skills for a senior writer are project management, web content, and wordpress.
| Acquisitions Editor | Senior Writer | |
| Yearly salary | $60,342 | $80,145 |
| Hourly rate | $29.01 | $38.53 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 12,281 | 15,995 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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 senior writer is responsible for assisting junior writers in creating compositions and digital content according to business functions and client needs. A senior writer should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as well as extensive knowledge of composition structures and developing engaging pieces to attract the target audience and potential clients, driving resources for revenue and profits. They also coordinate with clients on any adjustments and instructions to support their goals and objectives.
Acquisitions editors and senior writers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Acquisitions Editor | Senior Writer | |
| Average salary | $60,342 | $80,145 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $105,000 | Between $54,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | Ossining, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | SAGE Publishing | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Professional |
There are a few differences between an acquisitions editor and a senior writer in terms of educational background:
| Acquisitions Editor | Senior Writer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between acquisitions editors' and senior writers' demographics:
| Acquisitions Editor | Senior Writer | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% | Male, 55.8% Female, 44.2% |
| 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, 6.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 16% |