Facts

• Angling their way across the country, photographers snapped up an average salary of $36,370 in 2009, reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also found several industries where photographers earned higher salaries. The top-paying industry for photographers was the motion picture and video sector, paying an average salary of $72,370 per year. It should be noted that these figures do not include "paparazzi" photographers, who may earn hundreds of thousands of dollars from a single celebrity photograph. The aerospace product manufacturing industry also paid significantly higher-than-average wages, at $66,150 per year.
  
  

Location

• The top-paying states for photographers were scattered around the country in 2009. The District of Columbia had a significant lead on the rest of the country, with salaries of $55,820. New York placed second, at $48,580 per year. Illinois came in third, paying photographers $47,440 annually. California and Minnesota tied for fourth and fifth places, with salaries of $44,440 per year.
  
  

Considerations

• The paths to earning a salary as a photographer are as diverse as the images photographers capture through their lenses. No single standard is required for education or experience; some photographers have no training at all and simply pick up a camera and start snapping. Others pursue short-term courses at community colleges and technical schools, usually focusing on one type of photography such as black and white, portrait or landscape. Another option is to enroll in a four-year bachelor's program in photography. Many schools offer photography programs, including some with accreditation. Master's degrees are available for photographers wishing to further their educations. Prospective photographers looking to learn on the job may seek apprenticeships or internships from a photographer whose work they respect and admire.
  
  

Outlook

• The emerging picture for employment of photographers is positive, with the BLS expecting 12 percent growth and 17,500 jobs added between 2008 and 2018. Increased demand for photographer services is attributed in part to a growing population's desire for portrait photography, along with digital photography needs to satisfy the growing number of online media publications.