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The differences between lead photographers and commercial 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 lead photographer and a commercial photographer. Additionally, a commercial photographer has an average salary of $37,027, which is higher than the $35,976 average annual salary of a lead photographer.
The top three skills for a lead photographer include adobe photoshop, photographic equipment and portrait photography. The most important skills for a commercial photographer are product photography, adobe photoshop, and art direction.
| Lead Photographer | Commercial Photographer | |
| Yearly salary | $35,976 | $37,027 |
| Hourly rate | $17.30 | $17.80 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 6,644 | 33,133 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Lead photographers and commercial photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Photographer | Commercial Photographer | |
| Average salary | $35,976 | $37,027 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $57,000 | Between $23,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Syracuse, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Syracuse University | Armedia |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a lead photographer and a commercial photographer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Photographer | Commercial Photographer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between lead photographers' and commercial photographers' demographics:
| Lead Photographer | Commercial Photographer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8% | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |