– Hourly median wage: $18.73

– Annual median wage: $38,950

Photographers capture moments in time with images using either a digital or film camera. There are over 9,000 photographers in the U.S. who work as freelancers.

Many choose several specialties, such as wedding, food, portrait, fashion, or travel photography. Other photographers work as photojournalists, typically freelance or for an agency or media outlet in print, online, or broadcast news. Photographers may work in studios or travel for specific shoots to indoor or outdoor locations.

While the pay for photographers is not at the top of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ salary list, “[e]mployment of photographers is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031, [or 12,700 openings], faster than the average for all occupations,” the agency reports. However, the BLS points out that part of that growth stems from photographers leaving the field for other jobs or retiring.