Projected pay for Photographers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $44,660 → in 3 years $48,500 → in 5 years $51,300 → in 10 years $58,900 (10-year range $50,600–$68,400). The model assumes pay growth of +2.8% per year.
$44,660
Now 2026
$48,500
In 3 yrs 2029
$44,800–$52,800
$51,300
In 5 yrs 2031
$46,200–$57,100
$58,900
In 10 yrs 2036
$50,600–$68,400
What drives the annual growth rate
Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.24%AI impact +0.04%Total +2.8% / yr
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Photographers
45/100
★★☆☆☆
Average · ranked #600 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
19 pts
AI resistance
55 pts
Entry barrier
42 pts
Annual openings
93 pts
Projected growth
25 pts
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Labor demand for Photographers
Employment
52K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
144K
2025–35
Projected change
−0.7%
ranked #617 for growth
Annual openings
11K
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Average
51/100
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
$73,130
39/100
53%
Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.