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Professional photographer vs makeup artist

The differences between professional photographers and makeup artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a professional photographer, becoming a makeup artist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a professional photographer has an average salary of $44,490, which is higher than the $41,026 average annual salary of a makeup artist.

The top three skills for a professional photographer include adobe photoshop, customer service and adobe lightroom. The most important skills for a makeup artist are customer service, product knowledge, and store events.

Professional photographer vs makeup artist overview

Professional PhotographerMakeup Artist
Yearly salary$44,490$41,026
Hourly rate$21.39$19.72
Growth rate9%17%
Number of jobs44,6814,620
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age3934
Years of experience212

Professional photographer vs makeup artist salary

Professional photographers and makeup artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Professional PhotographerMakeup Artist
Average salary$44,490$41,026
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $62,000Between $21,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between professional photographer and makeup artist education

There are a few differences between a professional photographer and a makeup artist in terms of educational background:

Professional PhotographerMakeup Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorPhotographyCosmetology
Most common collegeNorthwestern University-

Professional photographer vs makeup artist demographics

Here are the differences between professional photographers' and makeup artists' demographics:

Professional PhotographerMakeup Artist
Average age3934
Gender ratioMale, 47.4% Female, 52.6%Male, 11.8% Female, 88.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 13.6% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%12%

Differences between professional photographer and makeup artist duties and responsibilities

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.

Makeup artist example responsibilities.

  • Achieve all sales goals through close client contact and upselling techniques.
  • Manage social media outlets such as Instagram and Tumblr to reach a broader audience.
  • Experience hair stylist providing full range of customize hair care services including hair extensions, wigs and braids.
  • Support master classes in NYC.
  • Work in collaboration with key artist for fashion week NYC.
  • Silk-Screen t-shirts, work in stain glass, glassblower apprentice.
  • Show more

Professional photographer vs makeup artist skills

Common professional photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 37%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 5%
  • Event Photography, 3%
  • Portfolio, 3%
Common makeup artist skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Product Knowledge, 12%
  • Store Events, 9%
  • Photo Shoots, 9%
  • Skin Care Products, 5%
  • Retail Sales, 2%

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