Photoshop is a fun design software that can be used for personal and work projects. It provides its users with the necessary tools to bring their concepts to life, no matter their experience level. Due to its widespread use in the design field, mastering Photoshop can be a source of active or passive income for you.
Increase your chances of landing high-paying jobs in the industry by building your Photoshop skills. Continue reading this article if you’re ready to gain a more holistic knowledge of what Photoshop is as well as the best jobs that use Photoshop.
What Is Photoshop?
Photoshop is a graphic design and photo-editing software that is used to alter and improve the appearance of images in photos or videos. This software program comes with inbuilt design features and a user interface that supports different mobile devices, desktops, and web platforms. It can be used to perform design tasks like image creation, image editing, and image manipulation
Since its initial launch in 1987, Photoshop has been incorporated into Adobe Systems with over 23 new and improved versions being launched. The most recent version of Adobe Photoshop comes with a comprehensive interface design to help you take advantage of the many design features with ease.
Is Photoshop in High Demand?
Photoshop is mainly used by graphic artists and graphic design professionals, but the skills are not in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth projection for graphic designers is three percent between 2020 to 2030. This projection suggests that while the demand for Photoshop isn’t high, it still has relevance in the industry.
Types of Photoshop Jobs
Many fields utilize Adobe Photoshop as part of the design process, leading Adobe to expand its collection of powerful tools to include software like Photoshop Lightroom and Photoshop Express. Each has its unique design role, just as each type of Photoshop job has its own unique role. Below are some of the most popular types of Photoshop jobs.
Graphics Design Jobs
Graphic design jobs are focused on digital art creation. Photoshop can be used to create and compose graphic products for print and digital media like mobile apps, desktops, and websites. Graphic designers use many of the tools in the adobe creative suite to create compelling graphic art. People who use Photoshop for graphic design have skills in visual design and interactive design.
Photo and Video Editing Jobs
Photoshop is one of the most preferred video and photo editing tools on the market. Video and photo editors make use of Photoshop Lightroom or Express to improve the appearance of digital images with professional quality. Photoshop editing jobs can be found on top freelance platforms like Upwork, Indeed, and Freelancer
Photography
Well-paid photography jobs require a deep understanding of Adobe Photoshop Camera. As a professional photographer, expect to use this tool to enhance your work with artificial intelligence features that facilitate the image creation process. This tool also comes with lenses that allow you to take high-quality photos without much hassle.
How to Establish a Career in Photoshop
A career in Photoshop can be a rewarding one, with Photoshop jobs allowing you to utilize your photoshop skills while earning a good average salary. To get started with building a fulfilling career as a photoshop expert, there are some important steps to take.
- Learn about the Photoshop family. Adobe Photoshop has introduced powerful tools for different designing tasks that you should get acquainted with. This will help you decide the type of Photoshop work you want to do. Use Photoshop tutorials to help you learn the Photoshop basics to create impressive visual products.
- Improve your knowledge with Adobe Photoshop courses. Advance your knowledge of Photoshop with online Photoshop courses. With platforms like Udemy and Photoshop Cafe offering professional training to amateur designers, you can get certified and mentored to help build an outstanding portfolio.
- Improve your skills by building a Photoshop portfolio. Building your professional portfolio shows proof of your skills. Use your education and personal Photoshop projects that are relevant to the type of Photoshop job you want. Exhibiting your abilities in a portfolio will impress employers and clients.
- Help potential clients find you. Market your Photoshop products and services through digital platforms. Create a website where clients can go through your portfolio, see your rates, and contact you. Signing up for job platforms and optimizing your social media will help clients find you.
- Teach Photoshop to others. An ideal way to secure your standing in the industry is by becoming a thought leader. Photoshop teachers are seen as thought leaders and typically attract high-profile clients. This is the most ideal way to grow your career in Photoshop. The advantage to this is that you’ll earn and learn while growing your network.
The 15 Best Jobs That Use Photoshop
Finding the right career path for your Photoshop skills can sometimes be challenging, especially since there are many jobs that use Photoshop. The table below was specially designed to direct you to the best jobs for your photoshop skills.
| Job Title | Average Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| User Experience Designer | $98,816 | 13% |
| Advertising Copywriter | $91,839 | 9% |
| Creative Director | $87,957 | 11% |
| Design Architect | $76,592 | 3% |
| Web Developer | $75,073 | 13%* |
| Advertising Manager | $65,886 | 10% |
| Animator | $62,591 | 16% |
| Campaign Manager | $61,619 | 13% |
| Art Professor | $61,612 | 12% |
| Web Designer | $60,202 | 13%* |
| Digital Marketer | $54,672 | 10%** |
| Videographer | $48,660 | 29% |
| Graphic Designer | $48,238 | 3% |
| Content Creator | $47,416 | 14% |
| Photographer | $43,114 | 17% |
*The job outlook has been sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on web developers and digital designers.
**The job outlook has been sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on advertising, promotion, and marketing managers.
What Careers Use Photoshop? An In-Depth List
User Experience Designer
User experience (UX) designers create interactive designs that optimize a digital product’s ease of use and accessibility. UX designers need basic to intermediate knowledge of Photoshop as some of their daily tasks may involve image manipulation and creation. Some employers include Photoshop as a job requirement for UX designers.
Advertising Copywriter
Advertising copywriters write sales and advertising copy for digital platforms. Knowledge of Photoshop as an advertising copywriter depends on their employer. If they’re freelancers, they should know Photoshop to optimize their client base. They will need to know how to edit pictures, videos, and create flyers to promote their services as entrepreneurs.
Creative Director
Creative directors collaborate with other design professionals. They generate ideas while managing the development and launch of advertisements, marketing and campaign events, and products and services. They need knowledge of Photoshop, especially visual design and image manipulation, to convey their innovative ideas to the design team.
Design Architect
Design architects provide consultation on prospective building designs, specify the resource requirement needed, and develop a blueprint for building projects. Design architects are one of the major users of Photoshop. They have advanced knowledge of graphic designs and image editing since they use them in creating holograms and digital renderings of their work.
Web Developer
Web developers design and manage websites and web applications using a combination of popular programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, and C. Part of their job involves knowing how to use Photoshop to create responsive web pages. They use Photoshop because of the Adobe creative suite that supports web designing and editing.
Advertising Manager
Advertising managers coordinate the advertising efforts of an organization. They work with creative directors and marketing teams to come up with strategies, tools, and campaigns to sell their company’s products. Their job involves visual creation and appeal so they need knowledge of Photoshop to create visual imagery for their advertising campaigns.
Animator
Animators create animated images displayed on digital platforms. They combine a set of images in a sequence and display them in rapid succession to give off the illusion that the image is moving. Animators use Photoshop for all kinds of image manipulation and image editing projects.
Campaign Manager
Campaign managers use their problem-solving, communication, and public relations skills to create campaigns that convey information and elicit emotions that resonate with the target market. These professionals use Photoshop for all kinds of informational graphic designing and object editing. They use it to create flyers, email lists, and campaign copy.
Art Professor
Art professors are one of the major users of Photoshop. Although they mostly use it for educational purposes, most of their job tasks require them to create videos, animations, websites, digital products, and services for their students. As art lovers and advocates, they have skills in digital sketching, painting, communication, and editing.
Web Designer
Web designers work on websites and web pages. They are skilled in using programming languages such as CSS and JavaScript to design scalable and responsive web pages. The majority of the job involves improving the aesthetic appearance of the website or web page, and Adobe Photoshop offers design elements that support interactive web designing.
Digital Marketer
Digital marketers use their knowledge of marketing to promote the sale of products across digital platforms. To be a successful digital marketer, you should understand the importance of visual appeal and how it can help sell products or services to consumers. Learning Photoshop is a necessity for digital marketers. Photoshop’s features enable them to create interactive photos and videos.
Videographer
Videographers record moving images on media devices and use Photoshop to create 3D animations and motion graphs. They also use Photoshop to modify the layers and colors captured during recording, and integrate other contents like object sequence files, audio, and text into the video.
Graphic Designer
Graphics designers use graphic illustrations to convey information to an audience. They communicate visual ideas through designing posters, logos, flyers, billboards, and other marketing products through graphic design software. Graphic designers use Photoshop and the advanced graphic design features in Adobe Illustrator, to carry out these tasks.
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Content Creator
Content creators create digital content designed to draw the attention of a target audience. This content can be appealing videos, audio, or photos. Professionals in this role use Photoshop for taking and editing responsive images, making interactive videos, and animations. They also use Photoshop for basic graphic design tasks like creating email newsletters and blog posts.
Photographer
Photographers take pictures for a living and rely on photo editing and manipulation tools like Photoshop to improve the outcome of their images. They use Photoshop to fine-tune the image, change the background, remove blemishes, scale the size of the image, and color grade in their photos.
Should You Get a Job in Photoshop?
If using design software tools to create detailed graphics and imagery is something that appeals to you, then you should definitely consider getting a job in Photoshop. No matter your career goals and the specific path you take, the advantages of working with Photoshop are clear.
You’ll be able to explore your creativity, build transferable skills, and secure a high-paying career in the business or technology industries. If you plan on becoming a photographer, videographer, graphic designer, or any of the other jobs listed in this article, then a job that uses Photoshop is for you.
Jobs That Use Photoshop FAQ
Yes, you can. Some employers even demand that candidates possess Photoshop skills. Today, Photoshop is used by professionals in carrying out both basic and advanced design tasks. Knowing photoshop tells your employer you’re tech-savvy and in tune with current trends.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary of an Adobe Photoshop professional is $54,845. However, the pay depends on your job role and industry.
Yes, Photoshop is ideal for freelancing. Most of the tasks you do with Photoshop can be done remotely. Most Photoshop users are also independent contractors. They work from home and with multiple clients. They also set their rates, hours, and job scope.
No, Adobe Photoshop is not hard to get started with but it can be challenging to master because of how broad the features are. As a beginner, you can cover the basic skills within a short period if you commit to regular practice and tutorials. Mastering Adobe Photoshop can take you years because of how frequently new versions are introduced.
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