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Staff photographer vs photography assistant

The differences between staff photographers and photography assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a staff photographer and a photography assistant. Additionally, a photography assistant has an average salary of $94,147, which is higher than the $37,094 average annual salary of a staff photographer.

The top three skills for a staff photographer include product photography, adobe photoshop and event coverage. The most important skills for a photography assistant are adobe photoshop, photo shoots, and video production.

Staff photographer vs photography assistant overview

Staff PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Yearly salary$37,094$94,147
Hourly rate$17.83$45.26
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs69,6956,155
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Staff photographer vs photography assistant salary

Staff photographers and photography assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Staff PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Average salary$37,094$94,147
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $64,000Between $17,000 And $503,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between staff photographer and photography assistant education

There are a few differences between a staff photographer and a photography assistant in terms of educational background:

Staff PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Staff photographer vs photography assistant demographics

Here are the differences between staff photographers' and photography assistants' demographics:

Staff PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 61.8% Female, 38.2%Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between staff photographer and photography assistant duties and responsibilities

Staff photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Operate specialized camera equipment, including DSLR cameras and lenses, as well as video lighting.
  • Contribute to website and Facebook pages, keeping followers inform about local news and events between weekly papers.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.

Photography assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help manage facebook, youtube page for studios work.
  • Manage the company Facebook account (choosing, editing, uploading pictures, engaging clients, etc . )
  • Manage social media accounts including Instagram and Facebook.
  • Photograph food and field marketing social events used for social media inquiries such as Instagram, Facebook, and press release.
  • Well verse in photography and DSLR bodies
  • Aid students in learning basic DSLR photography skills in classroom and field.
  • Show more

Staff photographer vs photography assistant skills

Common staff photographer skills
  • Product Photography, 33%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 28%
  • Event Coverage, 5%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 4%
  • Photo Shoots, 2%
  • Art Directors, 2%
Common photography assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 33%
  • Photo Shoots, 17%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Photographic Equipment, 5%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 4%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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