Photographers

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that salaried photographers earned median annual salaries of $40,760 in May 2023. Earnings ranged from less than $28,510 to $95,740 or more. Fifty percent of photographers earned between $32,240 and $62,480. Photographers in scientific or technically-oriented fields often have higher earnings than those in other fields.

Photographers in salaried jobs usually receive benefits such as paid holidays, vacations, and sick leave and medical insurance. Self-employed photographers do not receive the benefits that a company provides its employees. In addition, self-employed photographers often earn more than salaried photographers, but their earnings depend on general business conditions.