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Photographers

Captures images for clients, publications and art.

Typical education to startHigh school diploma or equivalent
Job outlook2025–2035: -1%
Median pay$44,660 a year (2025)
Interest codeRA Realistic, Artistic

Read the full guide

Photographers shoot weddings, portraits, sports, news, products and real estate, then edit their images. Most are self-employed, so marketing and business skills matter as much as the camera.

Open the photographer guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Photographers on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.