Photographer: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Photographers earn a national median of $42,520/yr with 1.8% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing, Computers and Electronics.

Median Salary

$42,520

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

1.8%

Slower than average

Employed Nationally

51,230

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Photographer

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Photographer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Speaking 3 Service Orientation 4 Reading Comprehension 5 Critical Thinking 6 Active Learning 7 Monitoring 8 Social Perceptiveness 9 Complex Problem Solving 10 Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Photographer performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Sales and Marketing Computers and Electronics Administration and Management English Language

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Photographer roles.

Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Adobe Acrobat Adobe After Effects Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Apple macOS Facebook Intuit QuickBooks

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 1.8% for Photographer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's slower than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
51,230
Projected Growth
1.8%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Photographer do?
Photographers apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing, Computers and Electronics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension.
How much does a Photographer make?
The national median salary for a Photographer is $42,520 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Photographer a good career in 2026?
Employment for Photographer roles is projected to grow 1.8% over the 2024–2034 decade — slower than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 51,230 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Photographer?
The typical entry-level education for a Photographer is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Photographers need?
The most important skills for Photographer roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making. Key tools and technologies include: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.