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Photographers

General Information

Description

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.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Self-employed55.83%
  2. Private, for profit38.04%
  3. Private, not for profit2.20%
  4. Federal government1.72%
  5. State and local government1.37%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Job Outlook

Employment of photographers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,700 openings for photographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of photographers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,700 openings for photographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$38,950

Military salary*

$63,085

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$80,110
$29,760
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Some college 27%
  • High school 18%
  • Bachelor's degree 13%
  • Associate's degree 13%
  • Post-secondary certificate 13%
  • Less than high school 9%
  • Post baccalaureate 4%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Administrative
  • Administration and Management

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.