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  1. Occupations
  2. Photographers

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.

SOC: 27-4021.00

Common Job Titles

  • Commercial Photographer
  • Photographer
  • Photojournalist
  • Portrait Photographer

Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Photographers (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

51,230

Wage Distribution by Percentile

Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $29,610. 25th percentile: U.S. $34,790. 50th percentile: U.S. $42,520. 75th percentile: U.S. $62,370. 90th percentile: U.S. $94,760. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.

  • U.S.
MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$29,610
10% of workers earn the following or more$94,760
Workers on average earn$55,650

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Customer and Personal Service4.7/5
  • Sales and Marketing4.5/5
  • Computers and Electronics4.2/5
  • Administration and Management3.9/5
  • English Language3.7/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Apple macOS
  • Facebook
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • WordPress

Technology Skills

  • Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Blinkbid
  • Cradoc fotoBiz
  • Email software
  • Genbook
  • Google Drive
  • HindSight InView
Tools & Technology: Technology Skills

Tools & Equipment

  • Board reflectors
  • Bubble machines
  • Camera cleaning brushes
  • Camera flash attachments
  • Camera positioning tripods
  • Computer inkjet printers
  • Computer laser printers
  • Contact print frames
Tools & Technology: Tools & Equipment

Related Occupations

Occupations with similar skills and knowledge requirements

Most Similar

  • Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 27-1013.00
  • Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators 51-9151.00
  • Graphic Designers 27-1024.00
  • Special Effects Artists and Animators 27-1014.00
  • Art Directors 27-1011.00

Moderately Similar

  • Film and Video Editors 27-4032.00
  • Prepress Technicians and Workers 51-5111.00
  • Craft Artists 27-1012.00
  • Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film 27-4031.00
  • Writers and Authors 27-3043.00

Related

  • Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 49-9061.00
  • Producers and Directors 27-2012.00
  • Fashion Designers 27-1022.00
  • Sound Engineering Technicians 27-4014.00
  • Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance 39-5091.00
  • Floral Designers 27-1023.00
  • Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers 27-1026.00
  • Set and Exhibit Designers 27-1027.00
  • Technical Writers 27-3042.00
  • Motion Picture Projectionists 39-3021.00

Related Programs

Education programs that prepare you for this occupation

  • Bachelor's DegreeBachelor of Fine Arts in Studio ArtIssuer: Troy University
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt Major (BA/BS)Issuer: Troy University
  • Associate's DegreeArtIssuer: Paris Junior College
  • Bachelor's DegreeBachelor of Arts, Major in ArtIssuer: Sam Houston State University
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt (BFA)Issuer: University of Alabama in Huntsville
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt (BA)Issuer: University of Alabama in Huntsville
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt, BFAIssuer: University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt, BAIssuer: University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt - CeramicsIssuer: Jacksonville State University
  • Bachelor's DegreeArt HistoryIssuer: Jacksonville State University