Median pay
$42,520
Median annual pay for Photographers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Arts, Design, Media, and Sports
Photographers
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.
10-year growth
1.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings
12,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment
151,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Photographers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost
+2,800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile
What the work involves
Strongest O*NET signals first.
Essential skills
- 1Active Listening
- 2Speaking
- 3Active Learning
- 4Critical Thinking
- 5Monitoring
- 6Reading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
- 1Customer and Personal Service
- 2Sales and Marketing
- 3Computers and Electronics
- 4Administration and Management
- 5Communications and Media
- 6English Language
Abilities
- 1Near Vision
- 2Far Vision
- 3Oral Expression
- 4Originality
- 5Visualization
- 6Oral Comprehension
Career interests
- 1Realistic
- 2Artistic
- 3Conventional
- 4Enterprising
- 5Investigative
- 6Social
Work styles
- 1Innovation
- 2Attention to Detail
- 3Dependability
- 4Adaptability
- 5Perseverance
- 6Initiative
Work activities
- 1Working with Computers
- 2Thinking Creatively
- 3Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- 4Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- 5Selling or Influencing Others
- 6Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Work context
- 1E-Mail
- 2Telephone Conversations
- 3Contact With Others
- 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- 5Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- 6Level of Competition
Representative tasks
- 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.
Software and tools
Adobe Photoshop · in demandAdobe Photoshop Lightroom · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyAdobe After Effects · hot technologyAdobe Creative Cloud software · hot technologyAdobe Illustrator · hot technologyAdobe InDesign · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyApple macOS · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyWordPress · hot technology
Sources
BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.