Post job

Contract-photographer vs sports photographer

The differences between contract-photographers and sports photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a contract-photographer and a sports photographer. Additionally, a contract-photographer has an average salary of $37,986, which is higher than the $27,958 average annual salary of a sports photographer.

The top three skills for a contract-photographer include adobe photoshop, product photography and video production. The most important skills for a sports photographer are adobe photoshop, camera equipment, and kids.

Contract-photographer vs sports photographer overview

Contract-PhotographerSports Photographer
Yearly salary$37,986$27,958
Hourly rate$18.26$13.44
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs9,2826,917
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Contract-photographer vs sports photographer salary

Contract-photographers and sports photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract-PhotographerSports Photographer
Average salary$37,986$27,958
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $80,000Between $22,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between contract-photographer and sports photographer education

There are a few differences between a contract-photographer and a sports photographer in terms of educational background:

Contract-PhotographerSports Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Contract-photographer vs sports photographer demographics

Here are the differences between contract-photographers' and sports photographers' demographics:

Contract-PhotographerSports Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 57.7% Female, 42.3%Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between contract-photographer and sports photographer duties and responsibilities

Contract-photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Perform all photography and photo-editing/finishing/restoration of product.

Sports photographer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Mount cameras on tripods or stands, and load prescribe types and sizes of film in cameras.
  • Photograph children, families and pets with holiday backgrounds, on Santa's lap, with elves, etc.
  • Provide news/sports reports and play-by-play announcing for football and basketball games
  • Create and execute station's college basketball coverage including play-by-play.
  • Show more

Contract-photographer vs sports photographer skills

Common contract-photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 44%
  • Product Photography, 12%
  • Video Production, 10%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
  • Photo Shoots, 6%
  • Real Estate Properties, 3%
Common sports photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Camera Equipment, 14%
  • Kids, 8%
  • School Administration, 8%
  • Digital Photography, 8%
  • Youth Sports, 6%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs