Occupation Profile | NC Careers.org

Annual Salary (Wages)

Lower End Wage (10th Percentile)

$18,280 ($8.79/hr)

Middle Wage (50th Percentile)

$26,400 ($12.69/hr)

Higher End Wage (90th Percentile)

$ 57,390 ($27.59/hr)

Ratings

Wage (1/5)
*$----

Job Openings (4/5)
****$-

Job Growth Rate (1/5)
*$----

Experience Level (3/5)
***$--

Common Job Titles

Advertising Photographer
Aerial Photographer
Apprentice Photographer
Biological Photographer
Biomedical Photographer
Cameraman
Commercial Photographer
Crime Scene Photographer
Digital Photographer
Fashion Photographer
Finish Photographer
Food Photographer
Forensic Photographer
Freelance Photographer
Industrial Photographer
Marine Photographer
Medical Photographer
Nature Photographer
Newspaper Photographer
Newspaper Photojournalist
Ophthalmic Photographer
Owner/Photographer
Photo Editor
Photo Journalist
Photo-Optics Technician
Photographer
Photographer Assistant
Photographic Specialist
Photojournalist
Portrait Photographer
School Photographer
Scientific Photographer
Sports Photographer
Still Photographer
Street Photographer
Studio Owner
Underwater Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Wild Life Photographer
Wildlife Photographer

Occupation Code

274021 - Photographers

Pathway

Journalism and Broadcasting

Photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that visually tell a story or record an event.

What do they typically do
Market and advertise services to attract clients

Analyze and decide how to compose a subject

Use various photographic techniques and equipment

Capture subjects in commercial-quality photographs

Enhance the subject's appearance with natural or artificial light

Use photo enhancing software

Maintain a digital portfolio, often on a website, to demonstrate work

Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission
Number of Jobs

Average Annual

Job Growth -0.6%

Job Opening 392

Job Listings

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Education & Training
Education
Most occupations require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associated Programs or Majors

Visual & Performing Arts

New Media

Commercial Photography

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License

NA

More
Private Training Programs

Adobe InDesign Certification (Online Self-Paced PTIT1007)

Adobe Photoshop (Online Self-Paced PTIT2001)

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing-Masters

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5617

First Step
Find out where to start your new journey.Get Started

Next Step
Find out what's next in line on your career journey.Get Started

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Video:Photographers

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Work Place

The work environment for photographers can vary considerably, depending on their specialty. Portrait photographers often work in studios or at a client's location while news and commercial photographers may travel locally or internationally. Many are self-employed. Most photographers stand or walk for long periods while carrying heavy equipment. Hours often are flexible so they can meet with current and potential clients or visit the sites that they will photograph. Demand for certain types of photographers may change with the season. For example, wedding photographers typically find themselves most busy in the spring and summer.

Top Skills & Abilities

Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do
Making equipment and technology useful for customers
Selecting and managing the best workers for a job
Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Looking for ways to help people
Teaching people how to do something
Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior
Bringing people together to solve differences
Understanding people's reactions

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required.

Training

Usually one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers - an apprenticeship may be available.

Interests

Artistic
Realistic

What do they typically do

Number of Jobs

Job Listings

Education & Training

First Step

Next Step