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The differences between certified photo specialists and retouchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a retoucher has an average salary of $51,538, which is higher than the $51,515 average annual salary of a certified photo specialist.
The top three skills for a certified photo specialist include mental illness, rehabilitation and role model. The most important skills for a retoucher are color correction, adobe photoshop, and product photography.
A photo specialist usually works at photography shops where they operate photo processing machines, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Although their duties vary upon their company of employment, it usually involves printing or developing photos from negatives, handling equipment according to guidelines, organizing and storing supplies appropriately, and maintaining records. They may also take the clients' photos and assist them by answering inquiries, providing cost or time estimates, facilitating photoshoots, and giving them instructions while maintaining courteous behavior.
Retouchers are skilled professionals who use advanced computer imaging software to change or modify the appearance of a photo or other digital image. These professionals must interface directly with clients to perform multiple image composition, color correction, and image manipulation. They are required to use Photoshop to carry out editing tasks such as masking, rebuilding, and cleaning of images. Retouchers must work exclusively with photographers and manage high volumes of photo organization. They must also maintain an organized electronic database of digital images.
Certified photo specialists and retouchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Photo Specialist | Retoucher | |
| Average salary | $51,515 | $51,538 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $107,000 | Between $24,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brockton, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | - |
| Best paying company | GradyHealth | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a certified photo specialist and a retoucher in terms of educational background:
| Certified Photo Specialist | Retoucher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Photography |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between certified photo specialists' and retouchers' demographics:
| Certified Photo Specialist | Retoucher | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4% | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 12.8% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 14.2% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |