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Acquisitions editor vs technical editor

The differences between acquisitions editors 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 an acquisitions editor and a technical editor. Additionally, a technical editor has an average salary of $61,717, 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 technical editor are powerpoint, english language, and proofreading.

Acquisitions editor vs technical editor overview

Acquisitions EditorTechnical Editor
Yearly salary$60,342$61,717
Hourly rate$29.01$29.67
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs12,28178,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an acquisitions editor do?

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.

What does a technical editor do?

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.

Acquisitions editor vs technical editor salary

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

Acquisitions EditorTechnical Editor
Average salary$60,342$61,717
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $105,000Between $47,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityOssining, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companySAGE PublishingApple
Best paying industryNon ProfitsTechnology

Differences between acquisitions editor and technical editor education

There are a few differences between an acquisitions editor and a technical editor in terms of educational background:

Acquisitions EditorTechnical Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Acquisitions editor vs technical editor demographics

Here are the differences between acquisitions editors' and technical editors' demographics:

Acquisitions EditorTechnical Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 39.7% Female, 60.3%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between acquisitions editor and technical editor duties and responsibilities

Acquisitions editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage content using CMS tools and ongoing social media campaign and reader engagement via social media networks and blog.
  • Develop content for website design and social networking including Facebook, twitter, blogging and more.
  • Edit and format fiction and non-fiction for eventual publication.
  • Edit and proofread article submissions.
  • Edit and do layout for fiction and nonfiction books.
  • Edit and proofread text, layout, and design.
  • 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

Acquisitions editor vs technical editor skills

Common acquisitions editor skills
  • Project Management, 20%
  • Market Trends, 17%
  • Market Research, 15%
  • Product Development, 10%
  • Fiction, 8%
  • Book Projects, 3%
Common technical editor skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • English Language, 11%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • XML, 4%

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