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Senior video editor vs freelance photographer

The differences between senior video editors and freelance photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior video editor, becoming a freelance photographer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior video editor has an average salary of $112,084, which is higher than the $42,949 average annual salary of a freelance photographer.

The top three skills for a senior video editor include motion graphics, video content and adobe premiere. The most important skills for a freelance photographer are adobe photoshop, aperture, and adobe lightroom.

Senior video editor vs freelance photographer overview

Senior Video EditorFreelance Photographer
Yearly salary$112,084$42,949
Hourly rate$53.89$20.65
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs5,3991,766
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age3739
Years of experience62

What does a senior video editor do?

A senior video editor manipulates and enhances video clips to achieve a predetermined message, concept, or idea. The role of the video editor is vital for creating video material for advertising and marketing. The video editor is also needed for media broadcasts and in the post-production phase of a filmmaking project. The senior video editor coordinates all people in the editing team and leads them to accomplish goals and meet the project's desired timeline and deadline.

What does a freelance photographer do?

A freelance photographer produces photos while under a specific short-term contract. They are primarily responsible for coordinating with the client to learn any requests or preferences, bringing necessary devices and lighting equipment, securing the best location and setting, handling any obstruction during the photoshoot, and delivering high-quality results in a short amount of time. Moreover, a photographer must maintain a healthy working environment with clients or models by building rapport, which will also help establish a client base.

Senior video editor vs freelance photographer salary

Senior video editors and freelance photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Video EditorFreelance Photographer
Average salary$112,084$42,949
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $171,000Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyAmazon-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between senior video editor and freelance photographer education

There are a few differences between a senior video editor and a freelance photographer in terms of educational background:

Senior Video EditorFreelance Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityHarvard University

Senior video editor vs freelance photographer demographics

Here are the differences between senior video editors' and freelance photographers' demographics:

Senior Video EditorFreelance Photographer
Average age3739
Gender ratioMale, 81.2% Female, 18.8%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%11%

Differences between senior video editor and freelance photographer duties and responsibilities

Senior video editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and resolve editorial disagreements across relevant departmental staff to join up an organizational narrative on each output.
  • Produce segments & graphics for both television and Youtube platform.
  • Maintain video archive system and retrieve important clips when necessary.
  • Serve as DV, HD, and DSLR video camera operator.
  • Edit, encode and enhance content for DVD and web delivery.
  • Hold responsibility in transcoding, encoding audio and video files, and uploading media to YouTube.
  • Show more

Freelance photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage HDR and PANO shots for greater Pittsburgh area.
  • Help manage a few bands Facebook pages and websites, including sharing and promoting shows and upcoming relate events.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Provide commercial photography to assist company advertising and promotion on social platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
  • Experience with Nikon D90 and relate equipment.
  • Experience with Nikon D50 D2100 SLR digital cameras
  • Show more

Senior video editor vs freelance photographer skills

Common senior video editor skills
  • Motion Graphics, 14%
  • Video Content, 12%
  • Adobe Premiere, 11%
  • Color Correction, 7%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Animation, 6%
Common freelance photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 30%
  • Aperture, 14%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 5%
  • Portfolio, 4%
  • Music Videos, 4%

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