Photographers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $44,660/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +1.8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 12,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
• Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
• Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
• Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
• Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
• Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
• Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
What's the median pay for Photographers?
The median pay for Photographers is $44,660 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Photographers?
Employment for Photographers is projected to change +1.8% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Photographers?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Photographers?
About 12,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.