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Photographic technician vs lead photographer

The differences between photographic technicians and lead 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 photographic technician and a lead photographer. Additionally, a photographic technician has an average salary of $49,830, which is higher than the $35,976 average annual salary of a lead photographer.

The top three skills for a photographic technician include digital photography, adobe photoshop and lightroom. The most important skills for a lead photographer are adobe photoshop, photographic equipment, and portrait photography.

Photographic technician vs lead photographer overview

Photographic TechnicianLead Photographer
Yearly salary$49,830$35,976
Hourly rate$23.96$17.30
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs24,9926,644
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Photographic technician vs lead photographer salary

Photographic technicians and lead photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Photographic TechnicianLead Photographer
Average salary$49,830$35,976
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $79,000Between $22,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Syracuse, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Syracuse University
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between photographic technician and lead photographer education

There are a few differences between a photographic technician and a lead photographer in terms of educational background:

Photographic TechnicianLead Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNorthwestern University

Photographic technician vs lead photographer demographics

Here are the differences between photographic technicians' and lead photographers' demographics:

Photographic TechnicianLead Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 66.4% Female, 33.6%Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
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, 15.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between photographic technician and lead photographer duties and responsibilities

Photographic technician example responsibilities.

  • Work with Sony sales reps to achieve goals and account management.
  • Cash register operation and general POS usage.
  • Train to refuel helicopters in a combat situation.
  • Acquire imagery in control, uncontrol, and combat environments.
  • Maintain managerial duties such as budgeting, payroll and attend weekly & monthly meetings.
  • Assemble brochures from customer specifications, using Macintosh graphics software.
  • Show more

Lead photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage different operating processes and goals for photography team, creating success for office and limiting inaccurate paperwork and improve product.
  • Run and upkeep the business' Facebook page.
  • Resolve operational problems of camera lens, tripods and external flash units.
  • Advance knowledge of photo management and editing software, DSLR cameras and relate equipment.
  • Light social media work also perform on various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter/HootSuite, Lookbook, etc.
  • Operate DSLR cameras and photography equipment.
  • Show more

Photographic technician vs lead photographer skills

Common photographic technician skills
  • Digital Photography, 37%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 28%
  • Lightroom, 16%
  • Video Cameras, 10%
  • Photographic Equipment, 4%
  • Film Processors, 3%
Common lead photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 23%
  • Photographic Equipment, 20%
  • Portrait Photography, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Digital Photography, 4%

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