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.
Photographers
SOC: 27-4021 O*NET: 27-4021.00
Median Salary
$44,660
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
10.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Photographers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,820
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,050
25th percentile
Median
$44,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$62,740
75th percentile
Top Earners
$91,810
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,820
25th
$36,050
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,660
Mean: $55,410
75th
$62,740
90th
$91,810
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $60,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,050 and $62,740
- •Salary spread is 59.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 51,760 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:145,000
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services59.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services59.6%
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services55.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.7%
Annual Openings:10,700
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)145,000
Current
2035 (Projected)144,000
-0.7%
-1,000
Employment Change
-0.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Photographers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
7,980 jobs$47,8401.32x
Florida
4,390 jobs$42,6401.33x
Texas
4,330 jobs$41,2800.92x
New York
3,650 jobs$60,0501.13x
Illinois
2,150 jobs$36,5701.06x
North Carolina
2,130 jobs$37,1201.30x
Pennsylvania
1,870 jobs$40,5200.93x
Virginia
1,580 jobs$46,5501.15x
Ohio
1,540 jobs$38,4700.83x
New Jersey
1,460 jobs$40,5201.02x
Georgia
1,420 jobs$43,7700.87x
Arizona
1,360 jobs$36,9701.26x
Colorado
1,140 jobs$47,0701.19x
Michigan
970 jobs$00.66x
Washington
960 jobs$48,0500.81x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Sales and Marketing
94%
#6
Originality
92%
#7
Service Orientation
86%
#8
Computers and Electronics
86%
#9
Oral Expression
82%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Sales and Marketing
advanced4.7
94%
Originality
advanced4.6
92%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Computers and Electronics
intermediate4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Sales and Marketing
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Originality
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Computers and Electronics
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists100%
5 shared skills
Dentists, General100%
5 shared skills
Nurse Anesthetists100%
5 shared skills
Pharmacy Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Communications and Media
- →Fine Arts
- →Production and Processing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Customer and Personal Service
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Photographers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechApple macOS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechAdobe After Effects
🔥 Hot TechWordPress
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Apple macOS
Microsoft Excel
Adobe After Effects
Facebook
WordPress
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Operations & Execution (2)Management & Supervision (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Photographers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Photographers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Photographers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.82
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.76
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.64
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.36
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.32
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.23
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.6
Concern for Others
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Photographers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Photographers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GA
2.2k program completions/year
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
933 program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
719 program completions/year
Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ
563 program completions/year
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ
558 program completions/year
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
516 program completions/year
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
487 program completions/year
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ
474 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
472 program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
470 program completions/year
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
466 program completions/year
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
451 program completions/year