Photographers
Overview
Introduction
Photographers take and sometimes develop and print pictures of people, places, objects, and events, using a variety of cameras and photographic equipment. They work in the publishing, advertising, public relations, science, and business industries, as well as provide personal photographic services. They may also work as fine artists. There are approximately 50,620 photographers employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that salaried photographers earned median annual salaries of $36,280 in May 2019. Salaries ranged from less than $20,630 to $79,440 or more.
Photographers in scientific or technically-oriented fields often have higher earnings than those in other fields. In May 2019, the DOL reported that photographers working in aerospace product and parts manu...
Work Environment
Work conditions vary based on the job and employer. Commercial and portrait photographers work in comfortable surroundings. Photojournalists seldom are assured physical comfort in their work and may in fact face danger when covering stories on natural disasters or military conflicts. Some photographers work in research laboratory settings; others work on aircraft; and still others work underwat...
Outlook
Employment of photographers will decline by 6 percent through 2028, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). Photography is a highly competitive field. There are far more photographers than full-time positions available. Only those who are extremely talented and highly skilled can support themselves as self-employed photographers. Many photographers take pictures as a side...
