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The differences between video journalists 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 video journalist and a photographer. Additionally, a video journalist has an average salary of $68,280, which is higher than the $33,968 average annual salary of a photographer.
The top three skills for a video journalist include story development, adobe premiere and video content. The most important skills for a photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and excellent time management.
| Video Journalist | Photographer | |
| Yearly salary | $68,280 | $33,968 |
| Hourly rate | $32.83 | $16.33 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 7,141 | 1,772 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.67 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 40 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Video journalists make videos conveying the news and factual stories for the audiences. Their day-to-day duties may vary but typically include editing, researching, and reporting, developing and planning live or taped video segments, and compiling data from various sources. In addition, a video journalist is responsible for verifying facts, interviewing subjects, and cultivating relationships and sources. Other duties that a video journalist might perform include on-the-spot reporting, anchoring a newscast, and producing content, and taking photos.
A photographer is an individual who focuses on the art of taking images with the use of a digital or traditional film camera. They are knowledgeable in the proper utilization and care of high-end cameras. They generally work as a freelancer and often hired to capture memories of unique clients. Some are also in exclusive partnerships with event-related industries in such settings as weddings, graduation, corporate events, and even commercial shoots. Apart from taking pictures, they also may be required to edit and prepare photographs to submit to clients or for publication.
Video journalists and photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Journalist | Photographer | |
| Average salary | $68,280 | $33,968 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $112,000 | Between $22,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Media | Professional |
There are a few differences between a video journalist and a photographer in terms of educational background:
| Video Journalist | Photographer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between video journalists' and photographers' demographics:
| Video Journalist | Photographer | |
| Average age | 40 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.5% Female, 35.5% | Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 Percentage | 10% | 11% |