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Photograph retoucher vs professional photographer

The differences between photograph retouchers 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 photograph retoucher and a professional photographer. Additionally, a photograph retoucher has an average salary of $77,972, which is higher than the $44,490 average annual salary of a professional photographer.

The top three skills for a photograph retoucher include product photography, adobe photoshop and portrait photography. The most important skills for a professional photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and adobe lightroom.

Photograph retoucher vs professional photographer overview

Photograph RetoucherProfessional Photographer
Yearly salary$77,972$44,490
Hourly rate$37.49$21.39
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs1,17544,681
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Photograph retoucher vs professional photographer salary

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

Photograph RetoucherProfessional Photographer
Average salary$77,972$44,490
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $230,000Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between photograph retoucher and professional photographer education

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

Photograph RetoucherProfessional Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNorthwestern University

Photograph retoucher vs professional photographer demographics

Here are the differences between photograph retouchers' and professional photographers' demographics:

Photograph RetoucherProfessional Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 54.7% Female, 45.3%Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 photograph retoucher and professional photographer duties and responsibilities

Photograph retoucher example responsibilities.

  • Work with Sony sales reps to achieve goals and account management.
  • Work on projects and build a customer base to increase traffic to the company's new website and Facebook page.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Earn commendations for excellence in journalism writing and photojournalism throughout career.

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.

Photograph retoucher vs professional photographer skills

Common photograph retoucher skills
  • Product Photography, 33%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 21%
  • Portrait Photography, 6%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 5%
  • Art Direction, 5%
  • Color Correction, 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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