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Editor/director vs photo editor

The differences between editor/directors and photo 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 editor/director and a photo editor. Additionally, a photo editor has an average salary of $63,168, which is higher than the $53,599 average annual salary of an editor/director.

The top three skills for an editor/director include music videos, video production and adobe premiere pro. The most important skills for a photo editor are adobe photoshop, stock photography, and photo shoots.

Editor/director vs photo editor overview

Editor/DirectorPhoto Editor
Yearly salary$53,599$63,168
Hourly rate$25.77$30.37
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs9,10710,068
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an editor/director do?

An editor/director is someone whose work involves video production, assessment of content that a company creates before publishing, and editing of digital media, such as music videos. The essential skills that an editor/director should possess to accomplish his/her or her responsibilities include possessing good judgment and writing skills and having a keen eye for details. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in communication, digital media, photography, or a related field.

What does a photo editor do?

Photo Editors are employees in the creatives or marketing department of the company. They handle photos used by the company for its marketing collaterals, social media posts, or publishing. They also ensure that the photos are in line with the company's brand and image. Photo Editors may add items or elements to make the photo more eye-catching.

Editor/director vs photo editor salary

Editor/directors and photo editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Editor/DirectorPhoto Editor
Average salary$53,599$63,168
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $90,000Between $38,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between editor/director and photo editor education

There are a few differences between an editor/director and a photo editor in terms of educational background:

Editor/DirectorPhoto Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor/director vs photo editor demographics

Here are the differences between editor/directors' and photo editors' demographics:

Editor/DirectorPhoto Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 75.4% Female, 24.6%Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between editor/director and photo editor duties and responsibilities

Editor/director example responsibilities.

  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Maintain and update social media including Youtube and Facebook accounts.
  • Perform principle of photography for interview, commercials, and TV shows.
  • Conceive, authore and edit retirement DVD and web content for the center's long time director.
  • Prepare small sample clips to be shown to producers and directors; implement editing notes per their feedback.
  • Produce, direct and operate camera for event coverage to deliver broadcast programs, DVD's and website segments.
  • Show more

Photo editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage SEO tags for photo base articles.
  • Lead teams of multimedia writers to creating short documentaries.
  • Manage metadata and implement SEO practices that increase page views!
  • Manage international man-made fiber market research/publishing company and supervise editorial content and sales of industry statistical journal.
  • Experience with HTML and CSS coding to build a web-base interface to display training modules.
  • Maintain the image database, caption placements, color correction, image archive and ftp images to clients and agencies.
  • Show more

Editor/director vs photo editor skills

Common editor/director skills
  • Music Videos, 28%
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 5%
  • Web Series, 4%
  • Photography, 4%
  • Video Content, 4%
Common photo editor skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 23%
  • Stock Photography, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 6%
  • Instagram, 6%
  • FTP, 5%
  • Facebook, 4%

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