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Photographer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,660median pay per year, or $21.47 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $30,820lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,05025th percentile
  3. $44,660median
  4. $62,74075th percentile
  5. $91,810top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A photographer typically needs a high school diploma and on-the-job training[1], and the median pay was $44,660 a year[2]. BLS projects a small decline in jobs of 0.7% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.7%[3]
Openings per year
10,700[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[1]

How much do photographers make?

In May 2025, the median wage for photographers was $44,660 a year, or $21.47 an hour[2]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The average was $55,410 a year, or $26.64 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. So the photographer median was below the all-occupations figure.

Pay varies widely. Here are the percentiles[4][8]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][8] $30,820 $14.82
25th[4][8] $36,050 $17.33
Median[2] $44,660 $21.47
75th[4][8] $62,740 $30.16
90th[4][8] $91,810 $44.14

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $30,820[4][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages and no starting salary[9].

These figures cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. That matters here, because 66.7% of photographers were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median at $110,970 a year, followed by New York at $60,050 and Massachusetts at $57,990[12]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the highest median at $60,050, then Salt Lake City-Murray, UT at $60,000 and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA at $59,220[13].

California had the most jobs at 7,980, followed by Florida at 4,390 and Texas at 4,330[14]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area had the most jobs of any metro area at 4,290, with a median of $47,840[15].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$110,970260
New York$60,0503,650
Massachusetts$57,990830
Oregon$53,630510
Utah$52,140660
Delaware$50,100180
Connecticut$49,790630
New Mexico$48,090230
Washington$48,050960
California$47,8407,980
Kentucky$47,170380
Colorado$47,0701,140
Maine$46,680180
Virginia$46,5501,580
Minnesota$46,470730
Maryland$46,450790
Hawaii$45,960440
Mississippi$45,860190
South Dakota$45,330190
New Hampshire$44,780220
Georgia$43,7701,420
Florida$42,6404,390
Wisconsin$42,060850
Nebraska$41,920220
Texas$41,2804,330
New Jersey$40,5201,460
Pennsylvania$40,5201,870
Montana$39,900190
Wyoming$39,33050
Alaska$39,19050
Missouri$39,170950
Ohio$38,4701,540
Iowa$38,290430
Tennessee$37,950780
South Carolina$37,890630
Kansas$37,790300
Nevada$37,460890
North Dakota$37,41070
Rhode Island$37,300220
North Carolina$37,1202,130
Arizona$36,9701,360
Louisiana$36,830510
Oklahoma$36,750330
Illinois$36,5702,150
Alabama$36,130530
West Virginia$36,110110
Indiana$35,960810
Idaho$33,320190
Arkansas$32,810240

How to become a photographer

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education. It lists no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[1]. Further schooling is not always required, but many photographers study photography, through classes, a certificate or a degree, to build their skills[16][17]. Here are the steps from the facts:

BLS says the skill of taking good photos is typically built over years of practice[20].

In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, answers about the education required were spread out[22]. Some college courses was the top answer at 27%, followed by a high school diploma at 18%[22]. A few other levels, including a bachelor's degree at 14%, also appeared[22].

Photographers who fly drones commercially must get certification from the Federal Aviation Administration[23]. Business, marketing and accounting classes may help self-employed photographers[24].

What photographers do

Photographers take pictures of people, scenery, merchandise and other subjects. They may use lighting equipment and editing software to produce finished images and prints[25]. O*NET lists these tasks among the most important ones[26]:

Artistic ability, business skills, computer skills and customer service all matter[27][28][29][30]. Workers report job titles such as portrait photographer, commercial photographer and photojournalist[31].

Where they work

Self-employed workers were the largest group, at 67% of photographers in 2025[32]. Work settings vary, and photographers may work indoors or outdoors[33]. Some work in studios, and travel may be required. A portrait photographer might go to a school or a home, for example[34]. News photographers may travel locally or abroad, may need to be ready on short notice, and may face dangerous surroundings[35]. Aerial photographers shoot from planes or helicopters[36]. The job can also mean standing or walking for long periods and carrying heavy gear[37].

Part-time work is common, and schedules vary, including evenings and weekends. Workloads can change with the season. Wedding photographers, for instance, are usually busiest in summer and fall[38].

Job outlook

BLS projects photographer employment to fall 0.7% between 2025 and 2035, from about 145,000 to 144,000 jobs, a loss of 1,000[3]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[39]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

BLS lists one factor behind the outlook. Share of work goes down as more images are produced by artificial intelligence tools in place of some photographers[40].

About 10,700 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings come from new jobs and also from workers who retire or move into other occupations[6]. Each year, an average of 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.6% move to a different occupation[41].

OEWS counted about 51,760 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[42]. That differs from the projection count of about 145,000 because the projection count includes self-employed workers[42][3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a low formal barrier to entry, a high school diploma and training on the job[1]. Median pay of $44,660 was below the $50,980 median for all occupations, and the pay range is wide[2][4][5]. About two thirds of photographers were self-employed, so business skills matter[11][28]. Employment is projected to decline 0.7%, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3][39]. Pay also differs by state, so check your own state's figures in the table below[12].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[43].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a photographer make an hour?
The median wage for photographers was $21.47 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $26.64 an hour[2][7].
Do you need a degree to be a photographer?
Typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent[1]. Postsecondary education is not always required, though many choose to study through classes, a certificate or a degree[17].
How long does it take to become a photographer?
BLS says the skill of taking good photos is typically built over years of practice, often starting as an assistant[20].
Is photography in demand?
Employment is projected to fall 0.7% over 2025 to 2035[3]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[39]. About 10,700 openings a year are still projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for photographers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $110,970 in May 2025[12]. New York was next at $60,050[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Photographers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Photographers in the US was $44,660 per year and $21.47 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Photographers is projected to decline 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 145,000 to 144,000 jobs (a change of -1,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Photographers: 10th percentile $30,820, 25th percentile $36,050, 75th percentile $62,740, 90th percentile $91,810. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 10,700 openings for Photographers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Photographers was $55,410 per year and $26.64 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Photographers: 10th percentile $14.82, 25th percentile $17.33, 75th percentile $30.16, 90th percentile $44.14. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 66.7% of Photographers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Photographers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Photographers (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,050; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $60,000; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $59,220; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $58,840; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $58,050; Charleston-North Charleston, SC $56,890; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $55,020; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $54,530. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Photographers jobs: California 7,980; Florida 4,390; Texas 4,330; New York 3,650; Illinois 2,150. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Photographers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,290 (median $47,840); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,590 (median $60,050); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,590 (median $36,810); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,480 (median $43,970); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,470 (median $49,980); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 1,140 (median $36,970). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 27-4021.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Some College Courses 27%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 18%, Post-Secondary Certificate 14%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 14%, Bachelor's Degree 14%, Less than a High School Diploma 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Photographers. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Photographers. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. O*NET 27-4021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Advertising Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Graduation Photographer, Newspaper Photographer, Photo Editor, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer. O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of photographers in 2025: Self-employed workers 67%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  39. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  40. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Photographers: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as more images are generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools, substituting for some photographers. BLS Employment Projections
  41. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Photographers: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  42. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 51,760 people were employed as Photographers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  43. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.