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Digital photographer vs professional photographer

The differences between digital photographers and professional 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 digital photographer and a professional photographer. Additionally, a professional photographer has an average salary of $44,490, which is higher than the $41,706 average annual salary of a digital photographer.

The top three skills for a digital photographer include adobe photo, digital photography equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a professional photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and adobe lightroom.

Digital photographer vs professional photographer overview

Digital PhotographerProfessional Photographer
Yearly salary$41,706$44,490
Hourly rate$20.05$21.39
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs17,41944,681
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Digital photographer vs professional photographer salary

Digital photographers and professional photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital PhotographerProfessional Photographer
Average salary$41,706$44,490
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $75,000Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between digital photographer and professional photographer education

There are a few differences between a digital photographer and a professional photographer in terms of educational background:

Digital PhotographerProfessional Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNorthwestern University

Digital photographer vs professional photographer demographics

Here are the differences between digital photographers' and professional photographers' demographics:

Digital PhotographerProfessional Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 64.6% Female, 35.4%Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between digital photographer and professional photographer duties and responsibilities

Digital photographer example responsibilities.

  • Photograph the dog and manage the Instagram and Facebook pages.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.

Professional photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and confidence out in the field gaining a greater understanding of photojournalism and photography
  • Retouch images including removing imperfections, color correcting and creating composite images.

Digital photographer vs professional photographer skills

Common digital photographer skills
  • Adobe Photo, 25%
  • Digital Photography Equipment, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Digital Cameras, 6%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
  • DSLR, 4%
Common professional photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 37%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 5%
  • Event Photography, 3%
  • Portfolio, 3%

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