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Photographic technician vs photographer

The differences between photographic technicians and 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 photographer. Additionally, a photographic technician has an average salary of $49,830, which is higher than the $33,968 average annual salary of a photographer.

The top three skills for a photographic technician include digital photography, adobe photoshop and lightroom. The most important skills for a photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and excellent time management.

Photographic technician vs photographer overview

Photographic TechnicianPhotographer
Yearly salary$49,830$33,968
Hourly rate$23.96$16.33
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs24,9921,772
Job satisfaction-4.67
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Photographic technician vs photographer salary

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

Photographic TechnicianPhotographer
Average salary$49,830$33,968
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $79,000Between $22,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Jacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between photographic technician and photographer education

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

Photographic TechnicianPhotographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Photographic technician vs photographer demographics

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

Photographic TechnicianPhotographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 66.4% Female, 33.6%Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7%
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, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between photographic technician and 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.
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Photographer example responsibilities.

  • Help manage and post to their Instagram as well.
  • Lead monthly NPPA critique group on storytelling with photographers.
  • Manage multiple social media profiles for community promotion on YouTube and Instagram.
  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Assist with a family member s photography business while gaining knowledge of DSLR camera systems and various photography computer software programs.
  • Initiate full photography staff membership to NPPA.
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Photographic technician vs photographer skills

Common photographic technician skills
  • Digital Photography, 37%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 28%
  • Lightroom, 16%
  • Video Cameras, 10%
  • Photographic Equipment, 4%
  • Film Processors, 3%
Common photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Excellent Time Management, 8%
  • Photographic Equipment, 8%
  • Professional Demeanor, 5%
  • Event Photography, 4%

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