🎨 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
💰 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.
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
🏫 Schools and programs related to Photographer
USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.
Federal dataset match
Trade School
Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology
📍 Orlando, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Washtenaw Community College
📍 Ann Arbor, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central New Mexico Community College
📍 Albuquerque, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
📍 Annandale, VA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Los Angeles Valley College
📍 Valley Glen, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area
📍 Omaha, NE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Moore Norman Technology Center
📍 Norman, OK
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
San Francisco Film School
📍 San Francisco, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
CUNY Queensborough Community College
📍 Bayside, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
📍 Minneapolis, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
📍 Long Island City, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Scottsdale Community College
📍 Scottsdale, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southern Crescent Technical College
📍 Griffin, GA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City College of San Francisco
📍 San Francisco, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Bucks County Community College
📍 Newtown, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Nashville State Community College
📍 Nashville, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Suffolk County Community College
📍 Selden, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southern Arkansas University Tech
📍 Camden, AR
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Orange Technical College-South Campus
📍 Orlando, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Community College of Rhode Island
📍 Warwick, RI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Oakland Community College
📍 Auburn Hills, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Santa Barbara City College
📍 Santa Barbara, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Luzerne County Community College
📍 Nanticoke, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts
📍 Dallas, TX
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
William T McFatter Technical College
📍 Davie, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Lakes College-Brainerd
📍 Brainerd, MN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Meridian Technology Center
📍 Stillwater, OK
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Orange Technical College-East Campus
📍 Winter Park, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cape Fear Community College
📍 Wilmington, NC
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northcentral Technical College
📍 Wausau, WI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District
📍 Cleveland, OH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Oklahoma City Community College
📍 Oklahoma City, OK
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Private College
Delaware College of Art and Design
📍 Wilmington, DE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Fred K Marchman Technical College
📍 New Port Richey, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Los Angeles City College
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
📍 Lexington, KY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Greenfield Community College
📍 Greenfield, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Butler County Community College
📍 Butler, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center
📍 Choctaw, OK
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
📍 Grand Rapids, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Delaware County Community College
📍 Media, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
San Bernardino Valley College
📍 San Bernardino, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Des Moines Area Community College
📍 Ankeny, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus
📍 Los Lunas, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College
📍 Utica, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
SUNY Westchester Community College
📍 Valhalla, NY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Dakota College at Bottineau
📍 Bottineau, ND
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Community College of Allegheny County
📍 Pittsburgh, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Harrisburg Area Community College
📍 Harrisburg, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Community College of Philadelphia
📍 Philadelphia, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Connecticut State Community College
📍 Hartford, CT
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
College of Southern Maryland
📍 La Plata, MD
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Dakota County Technical College
📍 Rosemount, MN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Rowan College at Burlington County
📍 Mount Laurel, NJ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Raritan Valley Community College
📍 Branchburg, NJ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Blue Ridge Community College
📍 Flat Rock, NC
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
📍 Hampton, VA
Certificate 2-4yr
Get Your Photographer Starter Kit
Enter your email to get the free report plus state-specific next steps for Photographer training.
Helpful next-step resource
Want a second opinion on your career fit?
USA Career Finder helps you compare pay, training time, schools, and next steps. If you also want a personality-based career assessment, CareerFitter offers a separate test to compare against your results here.
Compare My Career Fit ↗Some links may be affiliate links. If you use them, USA Career Finder may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Privacy Policy