Professional vs. Amateur — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on November 25, 2023
A Professional typically pursues an activity as a paid occupation, while an Amateur engages in it for passion without direct financial compensation.
Difference Between Professional and Amateur
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Professional usually denotes someone who is formally trained or qualified in a specific field or discipline. They often have dedicated significant time and resources to mastering their craft or profession. In contrast, an Amateur may lack formal training, often engaging in an activity out of personal interest or passion.
The word Professional can also suggest a certain standard of expertise and competence. This standard often comes with expectations of consistency, reliability, and a certain code of ethics. Conversely, an Amateur, while they may be highly skilled, doesn't necessarily adhere to or is held to the same professional standards or regulations.
When considering motivation, a Professional typically engages in their occupation for monetary gain or as a means of livelihood. This doesn't mean they lack passion, but financial compensation is a primary driver. An Amateur, however, typically pursues their interest without the primary intention of financial gain, driven more by passion or personal satisfaction.
In terms of recognition, Professional status often comes with certifications, memberships, or affiliations to professional bodies or institutions. These affiliations serve as validations of their expertise and training. An Amateur, on the other hand, might not possess such recognitions, even if they are proficient in their area of interest.
Lastly, in certain contexts like sports, a Professional is someone who competes for monetary rewards, whereas an Amateur competes purely for the love of the sport, often without direct financial incentives.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Motivation
Monetary compensation/livelihood
Passion/personal satisfaction
Training/Qualifications
Formal training/certifications
May lack formal training
Standards and Regulations
Held to professional standards
Not necessarily held to such standards
Recognition
Affiliations to professional bodies
Lacks formal recognitions
Context (e.g., sports)
Competes for money
Competes for passion, not money
Compare with Definitions
Professional
Indicative of someone with specialized training or skills.
Her Professional expertise in architecture is evident in her designs.
Amateur
Characterized by a lack of professional polish or finish.
The event had an Amateur feel but was charming nonetheless.
Professional
A person engaged in a specific activity as a main occupation.
He's a Professional musician who plays in an orchestra.
Amateur
Lacking the skill of a professional; non-specialist.
His Amateur attempt at painting was endearing.
Professional
Someone who earns their living from a specific profession.
As a Professional golfer, he competes in tournaments worldwide.
Amateur
Engaging in an activity without formal training.
He's an Amateur astronomer with a backyard telescope.
Professional
Pertaining to a job, career, or occupation.
He provided Professional advice on the business strategy.
Amateur
A person who engages in an activity for the love of it, not for financial gain.
She's an Amateur photographer who takes stunning photos.
Professional
Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession
Lawyers, doctors, and other professional people.
Amateur
Not earning a living from a particular activity.
She plays soccer at an Amateur level, not professionally.
Professional
Conforming to the standards of a profession
Professional behavior.
Amateur
One who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession.
Professional
Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career
A professional writer.
Amateur
(Sports) An athlete who has never accepted money, or who accepts money under restrictions specified by a regulatory body, for participating in a competition.
Professional
Performed by persons receiving pay
Professional football.
Amateur
One lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art.
Professional
Having or showing great skill; expert
A professional repair job.
Amateur
Of or performed by an amateur.
Professional
A person following a profession, especially a learned profession.
Amateur
Made up of amateurs
An amateur cast.
Professional
One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation
Hired a professional to decorate the house.
Amateur
Not professional; unskillful.
Professional
A skilled practitioner; an expert.
Amateur
A lover of something.
Professional
A person who belongs to a profession
Amateur
A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, science, or art (such as music or painting), especially one who cultivates any study, interest, taste, or attachment without engaging in it professionally.
The contest is only open to amateurs.
Professional
A person who earns their living from a specified activity
Amateur
Someone who is unqualified or insufficiently skillful.
The entire thing was built by some amateurs with screwdrivers and plywood.
Professional
A prostitute
Amateur
Non-professional.
Professional
A reputation known by name
Amateur
Created, done, or populated by amateurs or non-professionals.
Amateur sports
Professional
An expert
Amateur
Showing a lack of professionalism, experience or talent.
Duct tape is a sure sign of amateur workmanship.
Professional
Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the (usually high) standards of a profession.
Amateur
A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science as to music or painting; esp. one who cultivates any study or art, from taste or attachment, without pursuing it professionally.
Professional
That is carried out for money, especially as a livelihood.
Amateur
Someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
Professional
(by extension) Expert.
Amateur
Does not play for pay
Professional
Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming to the rules or standards of a profession; following a profession; as, professional knowledge; professional conduct.
Amateur
Engaged in as a pastime;
An amateur painter
Gained valuable experience in amateur theatricals
Recreational golfers
Reading matter that is both recreational and mentally stimulating
Unpaid extras in the documentary
Professional
Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race; - opposed to amateur.
Amateur
Lacking professional skill or expertise;
A very amateurish job
Inexpert but conscientious efforts
An unskilled painting
Professional
A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker.
Professional
A person engaged in one of the learned professions
Professional
An athlete who plays for pay
Professional
An authority qualified to teach apprentices
Professional
Engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood;
The professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications
Began her professional career after the Olympics
Professional theater
Professional football
A professional cook
Professional actors and athletes
Professional
Of or relating to or suitable as a profession;
Professional organizations
A professional field such as law
Professional
Characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession;
Professional conduct
Professional ethics
A thoroughly professional performance
Professional
Of or relating to a profession;
We need professional advice
Professional training
Professional equipment for his new office
Professional
Engaged in by members of a profession;
Professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching
Professional
Adhering to the standards and ethics of a profession.
She always maintains a Professional demeanor at work.
Common Curiosities
Can someone be a Professional in one field and an Amateur in another?
Absolutely. A person can be a Professional musician and an Amateur painter, for example.
Is an Amateur always unskilled?
No, an Amateur can be highly skilled but doesn't pursue the activity as a primary source of income or profession.
Is the main distinction between Professional and Amateur about money?
While money is a factor, the distinction also involves training, intent, and sometimes adherence to certain standards.
Do all Professionals have formal training?
While many do, not all Professionals have formal training. Experience can also establish someone as a Professional in certain fields.
Is there a difference in equipment used by Professionals and Amateurs?
Often, Professionals might use more advanced or specialized equipment, but it's not a strict rule.
Can an Amateur turn Professional?
Yes, many Amateurs become Professionals by acquiring training and pursuing the activity as a primary occupation.
What defines a Professional in a given field?
A Professional typically has formal training and pursues the activity as a main occupation, often with financial compensation.
Why might someone choose to remain an Amateur?
They may pursue the activity for passion, personal satisfaction, or prefer not to have the pressures or responsibilities tied to professional status.
Can Professionals and Amateurs collaborate?
Absolutely. In many fields, Professionals and Amateurs collaborate and learn from each other.
Are there Amateur competitions in various fields?
Yes, there are Amateur sports leagues, Amateur art contests, and other events specifically for non-professionals.
Can Professionals be passionate about their work?
Certainly. Being a Professional doesn't exclude passion; many Professionals are deeply passionate about their fields.
Do Professionals always earn more than Amateurs?
Not necessarily. Some Amateurs can earn significant amounts, especially in fields where talent can be monetized outside of professional channels.
Is "hobbyist" synonymous with Amateur?
In many contexts, yes. A hobbyist, like an Amateur, engages in an activity primarily for pleasure.
How does one transition from an Amateur to a Professional status in sports?
The transition varies by sport, but often involves signing contracts, joining professional leagues, or meeting certain performance criteria.
What's the origin of the word "Amateur"?
"Amateur" comes from the Latin "amator" meaning "lover", emphasizing the love or passion for the activity.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
