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Medical photographer vs photographer assistant

The differences between medical photographers and photographer assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical photographer and a photographer assistant. Additionally, a medical photographer has an average salary of $81,114, which is higher than the $36,555 average annual salary of a photographer assistant.

The top three skills for a medical photographer include patients, medical photography and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a photographer assistant are adobe photoshop, photographic equipment, and photo shoots.

Medical photographer vs photographer assistant overview

Medical PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Yearly salary$81,114$36,555
Hourly rate$39.00$17.57
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs45,6661,771
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Medical photographer vs photographer assistant salary

Medical photographers and photographer assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Average salary$81,114$36,555
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $382,000Between $20,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between medical photographer and photographer assistant education

There are a few differences between a medical photographer and a photographer assistant in terms of educational background:

Medical PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Medical photographer vs photographer assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical photographers' and photographer assistants' demographics:

Medical PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 51.1% Female, 48.9%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between medical photographer and photographer assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical photographer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Schedule and photograph patients; create patient/doctor composite photos.
  • Provide high-end digital images of patients for total body cutaneous photography as well as surgical and autopsy documentation.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.

Photographer assistant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve working knowledge of professional DSLR cameras and equipment.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Assist head photographer in outdoor shoots -Operate equipment such as flashes, tripods, reflectors, etc.
  • Work closely with merchandising managers and organize all lifestyle studio and outdoor shoots.
  • Freelance commercial photography with a focus on natural light environmental portraiture and lifestyle photography.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Show more

Medical photographer vs photographer assistant skills

Common medical photographer skills
  • Patients, 35%
  • Medical Photography, 22%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 16%
  • Surgical Procedures, 10%
  • Digital Photography, 5%
  • Portrait Photography, 5%
Common photographer assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 38%
  • Photographic Equipment, 15%
  • Photo Shoots, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 3%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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