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Photo Editor

Also known as: Picture Editor, Photography Editor, Image Editor, Visual Editor

AI Impact Score

62/100

AI is rapidly automating the mechanical work of photo editing — background removal, basic retouching, colour correction, and image resizing — while generative AI is disrupting traditional photography by enabling image creation without a camera. However, the curatorial intelligence, editorial judgment, and visual narrative decisions that define exceptional photo editing remain human work. Photo editors who build strong visual judgment and editorial instincts alongside technical proficiency will remain valuable.

$38k – $85k

Salary Range

stable

Growth Outlook

28,000

Total Jobs (US)

-3%

Growth Rate

Task Breakdown

Tasks at Risk (4)

Basic retouching and skin smoothingBackground removal and replacementStandard colour correction and exposure adjustmentImage resizing and format conversion

AI-Enhanced Tasks (4)

Batch processing and consistency workflowsVisual search and image cataloguingStyle consistency analysis across large image setsQuality control and compliance checking

Human-Safe Tasks (5)

Editorial curation and image selectionVisual narrative and storytelling decisionsPhotographer relationship and directionBrand aesthetic and creative directionComplex retouching and compositing

Current Skills

Adobe Lightroom and PhotoshopColour Theory and CorrectionImage Selection and CurationVisual StorytellingDigital Asset Management

Future-Proof Skills

AI Image Editing Tools (Firefly, Midjourney, DALL-E)Generative AI Integration in WorkflowsVideo Editing FundamentalsBrand Visual System DevelopmentData-Informed Visual Optimisation