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Photographers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$42,520	13700	3.9%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$42,520

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

13700

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

3.9%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Some College Courses

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
Prepare film for distribution or use.
Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
Write informational material.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Prepare outgoing shipments.
Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Review art or design materials.
Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.
Maintain records, documents, or other files.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Confer with clients to determine needs.
Select materials or props.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
Coordinate activities of production personnel.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Research new technologies.
Arrange artwork, products, or props.
Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
Select materials or props.
Obtain copyrights or other legal permissions.
Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies.
Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.
Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff.
Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.
Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
Direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.
Engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
Mount, frame, laminate, or lacquer finished photographs.
Send film to photofinishing laboratories for processing.
Develop visual aids and charts for use in lectures or to present evidence in court.
Load and unload film.
Write photograph captions.
Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling work.
Produce computer-readable, digital images from film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories.
Employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry.
License the use of photographs through stock photo agencies.
Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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