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Medical Illustrators and Photographers

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that photographers and illustrators will experience a decline in employment growth through 2028. The demand for medical illustrators, however, is expected to be strong. There are only a few graduate programs in medical illustration with small graduation classes, so medical illustrators will find steady demand for their skills. The field of medicine and science in general is always growing, and medical illustrators will be needed to depict new techniques, procedures, and discoveries.

The demand for medical photographers has declined somewhat in recent years. Cost-cutting measures at institutions have led to increased purchases of stock photography rather than hiring photographers to take original photos. Some physicians also take their own photos, or rely on media members to take them. Despite slower growth, the constantly developing field of scientific information will ensure a continued need for medical photographers.