🎨 Creative & Media ↑ 4% growth · Average

Photographer

Professional photographers capture portraits, events, products, and news — turning visual storytelling into a career. The path to professional photography is portfolio-driven, not degree-driven, and entrepreneurs who specialize in weddings, commercial work, or real estate photography can build highly profitable businesses.

$40,170 Median Salary
155K US Jobs
3 months–4 years Training
$500–$30,000 Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$25,000
Median
$40,170
Experienced
$90,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

4%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
155K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
Portfolio-based; PPA Certification
Required Credential
Portfolio-based; PPA Certification (Professional Photographers of America)

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Photography Certificate, AAS, or Self-Taught
Program Length
3 months–4 years
Typical Tuition
$500–$30,000
Work Setting
Studio, freelance, agencies, newspapers, corporate clients
🏆 Credential Required: Portfolio-based; PPA Certification (Professional Photographers of America)

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Photographer involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Studio environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Photographer by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC