14 of the Highest-Paying Photography Jobs (With Salaries)

Updated April 18, 2024

Two people in the foreground adjust a light on the set of a photo shoot with two people in the background.

Photography jobs can involve a variety of skills, whether you want to be behind the camera, in front of the camera or working in the background of photo shoots. Jobs in the field can also offer you exciting opportunities to travel, meet new clients and develop your craft as a visual artist. If you're interested in photography, learning about high-paying jobs in the industry can help you start down the path to a lucrative career.In this article, we share reasons to start a career in photography, list 14 of the highest-paying photography jobs and note four additional jobs for entry-level photographers.

Why pursue a career in photography?

Photography jobs offer the chance to be creative during work and collaborate with other creative people. For this reason, among others, pursuing a career in photography can be exciting and fulfilling for artistic individuals.Many photographers also build lasting professional relationships with clients, since they often take a large part in memorializing special events and life milestones such as weddings, graduations and new additions to a family. Photographers can also find work in commercial industries, such as taking promotional photos or pictures for printed advertisements.There are a wide variety of jobs available in areas related to photography, many of which involve skills other than operating a camera. Opportunities for jobs arise frequently on the technical side of photography, like editing photos and managing elements of a photo shoot, such as lighting and location.Photographers also sometimes work with a beauty team of stylists who help make any photography subjects look exactly how the photographer or creative director wants them to. Whatever your interests are, there's likely a job in the photography field that you can find to utilize your skills and follow your passion.Related: How To Become a Professional Photographer: A Complete Guide

14 high-paying photography jobs

Here's a list of 14 jobs in photography that offer competitive salaries:

1. Photojournalist

National average salary: $39,564 per yearPrimary duties: A photojournalist takes photos and displays them in a style that tells a story. They often focus on current events or developing news stories. Photojournalists achieve a narrative effect through editing and ordering their photos in specific ways. A photojournalist might work as a freelance photographer, but they can also work for publications like magazines and newspapers or outlets on the internet or television.

2. Photo editor

National average salary: $49,965 per yearPrimary duties: A photo editor works on photos after they're taken to improve their design and visual appeal. Some photo editors work for publications like magazines or websites, while others can work on a freelance basis. Photo editors often have a command of specialized software that allows them to adjust lighting, exposure, color saturation and other settings that affect how a picture looks.

3. Wedding photographer

National average salary: $43,335 per yearPrimary duties: A wedding photographer takes photographs before and during weddings. Wedding photographers work to make each photo timeless and beautiful and know how to showcase their subjects in action. A wedding photographer might take candid shots or pose people for photographs, and they typically edit each collection of photographs after the wedding before providing them to their clients.

4. Video editor

National average salary: $52,316 per yearPrimary duties: Video editors are employees that specialize in arranging and manipulating video frames. The goal of video editing is to create attractive films that showcase information in an effective manner. Video editors may work in film or television studios, marketing departments, advertising agencies or for independent content creators.

5. Stylist

National average salary: $45,317 per yearPrimary duties: A stylist designs outfits by choosing clothes for a model or subject to wear during a photo shoot. In photography, stylists often work at photo shoots for magazines or fashion publications. Stylists have a knowledge of fashion that they use to make sure each model looks how the director wants them to look.

6. Graphic designer

National average salary: $50,656 per yearPrimary duties: Graphic designers are creators that develop attractive visual and text presentations using digital design tools. They often work in marketing and may create social media posts, advertisements, infographics presentations, web pages and other graphics. Graphic designers often work with photos and a knowledge of photography and photo editing is often an important skill.Related: Learn About Being a Graphic Designer

7. Photography professor

National average salary: $61,014 per yearPrimary duties: Photography professors are educators that teach photography to college students. They work in college art departments throughout the country. A professor's job includes teaching classes, delivering lectures, giving practical photography instruction, grading student work and participating in seminars and conferences. Photography professors require a deep understanding of art theory, practical photography skills and the history of photography.Related: Learn About Being an Adjunct Professor

8. Lighting technician

National average salary: $56,351 per yearPrimary duties: A lighting technician works with a crew or team to set up, program and operate lighting equipment. This can involve setting up standing lights to increase the brightness in a room or using gels to change the color that lighting fixtures give off. Lighting technicians can also work at events, film sets and performances.

9. Makeup artist

National average salary: $46,341 per yearPrimary duties: A makeup artist in the photography industry designs and creates makeup looks on models or recreates makeup looks for private clients to have their photos taken, like brides. Makeup artists work closely with stylists and hairstylists and have extensive knowledge of color theory, materials in makeup and how to apply makeup in several ways on a variety of skin tones. Many makeup artists work on a freelance basis, but some can also work for agencies or salons that hire beauty teams.Related: Learn About Being a Makeup Artist

10. Art director

National average salary: $77,358 per yearPrimary duties: Art directors lead teams of creators and develop strategies for expressing the artistic vision of their companies. They determine which artistic mediums to use, create budgets, review and approve designs and supervise the work of individual team members. Artistic directors may work in fashion, movies and television, marketing or publishing.Related: Learn About Being an Art Director

11. Photo retoucher

National average salary: $53,207 per yearPrimary duties: A photo retoucher enhances aspects of digital photos through editing and adjusting picture settings. They often work in industries like the fashion industry, where each photo requires a specific look. Aside from using software to adjust elements like brightness and color saturation, they also use software to remove blemishes, smooth wrinkles or mask body modifications like tattoos on the subjects in photos they work on.

12. Model

National average salary: $93,419 per yearPrimary duties: A model works as the subject of photo shoots and showcases products like clothing, makeup, jewelry and other accessories. Models can also work with photojournalists as visual subjects in their photography stories. Many models have representation from an agency, especially those who work in fashion or commercial industries.

13. Film developer

National average salary: $94,983 per yearPrimary duties: Film developers use a range of techniques to create prints from photographic negatives. Although many photographers now use digital technology, some still prefer physical film, making this an important role. Film developers often work in traditional dark rooms and use chemicals to develop photographic prints. They may also operate printers, computers and other tools.

14. Videographer

National average salary: $49,922 per yearPrimary duties: Videographers create high-quality videos for a range of applications. They're responsible for operating video cameras and lighting equipment and may collaborate with models, actors and creative directors to plan shoots. Some videographers also edit their footage and may travel extensively for work.Read more: How To Become a Videographer (With Skills and Salary)

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4 photography jobs with average salaries

Here are four photography jobs that have salaries closer to the industry average. These may be a good choice for entry-level photographers:

1. Freelance photographer

National average salary: $40,658 per yearPrimary duties: A freelance photographer runs their own photography business and only signs on to projects they're interested in. Freelance photographers might specialize in a specific kind of subject, like children, pets or family portraits. They may have their own photography studio, shoot on location or both.

2. Photographer's assistant

National average salary: $41,279 per yearPrimary duties: A photographer's assistant helps a photographer with whatever they need before, during and after a photo shoot. This might involve communicating with clients to set up appointments for photo shoots, booking studios or other venues to shoot at and carrying equipment like additional lighting for a photographer. Photographer's assistants can also help in the editing phase to prepare photos with digital enhancements for clients.

3. Photo associate

National average salary: $45,194 per yearPrimary duties: Photo associates usually work in retail environments, capturing standard images and helping customers complete sales. They may take passport and ID photos or family portraits. Photo associates are responsible for operating standard photography equipment, posing customers, caring for cameras, printing photographs, reviewing prints and completing sales.

4. Camera operator

National average salary: $42,524 per yearPrimary duties: Camera operators are responsible for recording video using a variety of cameras, cranes, mountings and lighting equipment. These employees may work for television studios or a range of other video production companies. Unlike videographers, camera operators usually don't participate in the creative process and follow the instructions of producers and directors.For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link(s) provided.

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