Photographers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Photographers fall under the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media category in the U.S. occupational classification. Photographers earn a median salary of $44,660 per year, ranking in the top 81% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -0.7% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do photographers earn?

The median annual wage for photographers is $44,660. That puts photographers at #668 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is photographers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for photographers is -0.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 145K positions in 2024 to 144K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do photographers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working photographers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
2. 2.Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
3. 3.Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
4. 4.Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.
5. 5.Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
6. 6.Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
7. 7.Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
8. 8.Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.

Top skills for photographers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become photographer?

The standard path into photographers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
  $40,710 median
• Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
  $39,390 median
• Floral Designers
  $37,360 median
• Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other
• Disc jockeys, except radio
• Dancers

Common questions parents ask about photographers