Photographer
Photographers use their technical expertise and creativity to produce and preserve images of people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects.
What the job is
- The work
- Photographers use their technical expertise and creativity to produce and preserve images of people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects.
BLS
Photographers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Many photographers are self-employed. They work in varied settings, including in studios and on location. Travel may be required. Part-time work is common, and work schedules may vary.
BLS
Photographers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Creative, detail-minded people who are comfortable finding clients and working irregular hours.
- Career cluster
- Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (photographers).
- Median pay
- $44,660 a year ($21.47 an hour)
BLS
Photographers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 145,000
- Typical entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Training after hire
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- −1%, which BLS calls "decline"
BLS
Photographers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- −1,000 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Photographers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation. Many photographers take classes or earn a certificate or degree in photography or a related field to improve their skills.
BLS
Photographers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In short
- Photographers typically need a high school diploma. Many take classes or earn a certificate or degree in photography, and many start as an assistant to a professional photographer. Some employers require or prefer a bachelor's in photography or photojournalism. Flying a drone commercially needs an FAA certificate.
- License
- Drones only (FAA)
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
-
StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
- AlaskaState guide
- ArizonaState guide
- ArkansasState guide
- CaliforniaState guide
- ColoradoState guide
- ConnecticutState guide
- DelawareState guide
- District of ColumbiaState guide
- FloridaState guide
- GeorgiaState guide
- HawaiiState guide
- IdahoState guide
- IllinoisState guide
- IndianaState guide
- IowaState guide
- KansasState guide
- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
- MaineState guide
- MarylandState guide
- MassachusettsState guide
- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
- New YorkState guide
- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
- PennsylvaniaState guide
- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasState guide
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Photographer: a high school diploma, years of practice, a portfolio; FAA certificate to fly a drone for work
See the roadmap
Route 1: Assistant to a professional photographer · Route 2: Bachelor's in photography or photojournalism · Route 3: Registered Apprenticeship
More careers in Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.