Photographer earn $44,660 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $36,050 and $62,740. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Also known as:
Photographer earn $44,660 nationally, significantly below average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,050 and $62,740. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Significantly below average. Specialized roles can raise this considerably.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The mean wage for this occupation is $55,410, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Photographer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +1.8% employment change for Photographer through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 12,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Photographer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $44,660 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 7,300 | $50,610 | +13.3% |
| 2 | Florida | 4,450 | $38,230 | -14.4% |
| 3 | Texas | 3,780 | $36,760 | -17.7% |
| 4 | New York | 3,620 | $57,700 | +29.2% |
| 5 | Illinois | 2,530 | $34,600 | -22.5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Photographer positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 5 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fine Arts | 36,332 | $41,367 | 1,458 |
| 2 | Design | 36,019 | $51,490 | 1,238 |
| 3 | Film & Video Production | 18,531 | $43,765 | 678 |
| 4 | Journalism | 12,280 | $56,278 | 522 |
| 5 | Visual & Performing Arts | 6,785 | $41,688 | 550 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
Once you've sized up Photographer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Photographer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Photographer shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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