Photographs clothing, accessories, models, and beauty products for magazines, advertising campaigns, catalogs, and e-commerce sites. BLS does not publish separate figures for photographers; it counts them within photographer (SOC 27-4021), whose median pay is $44,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 27-4021
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Fashion Photographer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $44,660a year, or $21.47/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $31KTop 10% $92K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 10,700145,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025145K
- Projected 2035144K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 145K Projected 2035 144K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school9.1%
- High school18.2%
- Certificate13.6%
- Some college27.3%
- Associate's13.6%
- Bachelor's13.6%
Highest education held by photographers Segment Value Less than high school 9.1% High school 18.2% Certificate 13.6% Some college 27.3% Associate's 13.6% Bachelor's 13.6%
Also advertised as: Editorial Photographer, E-commerce Photographer, Catalog Photographer, Commercial Fashion Photographer, Beauty Photographer.
Pay
How much do Photographers make?
Every fashion photographer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$44,660
Middle half earn $36,050 to $62,740
- 10th
- $30,820
- 25th
- $36,050
- 75th
- $62,740
- 90th
- $91,810
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $30,820 |
| 25th | $36,050 |
| Median | $44,660 |
| 75th | $62,740 |
| 90th | $91,810 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $44,660
- Median hourly wage
- $21.47/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $55,410
- People employed
- 51,760
Versus all US occupations
At $44,660, Photographers earn 12% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,320 a year.
Versus arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
Inside the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media group, where the middle occupation pays $68,060, this is 34% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $91,810 or more while the bottom 10% earn $30,820, a gap of 3.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 11% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $110,970, and still leads at $100,973 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Photographers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $110,970 | $100,973 | 260 |
| 2New York | $60,050 | $55,643 | 3,650 |
| 3Massachusetts | $57,990 | $54,833 | 830 |
| 4Oregon | $53,630 | $51,886 | 510 |
| 5Utah | $52,140 | $52,739 | 660 |
| 6Delaware | $50,100 | $50,196 | 180 |
| 7Connecticut | $49,790 | $48,055 | 630 |
| 8New Mexico | $48,090 | $52,152 | 230 |
| 9Washington | $48,050 | $44,901 | 960 |
| 10California | $47,840 | $43,208 | 7,980 |
Job outlook
Is Fashion Photographer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Photographers | −0.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Photographers to change -0.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,000 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 10,700 openings are projected each year, 7.4% of the 145,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Fashion Photographer
There is no required degree, but many fashion photographers study photography at schools such as the Fashion Institute of Technology, which offers photography programs with a fashion focus. Most learn the trade by assisting established photographers, which teaches lighting, set management, and client handling. The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) offers business resources on licensing, pricing, and contracts.
Photographers build a portfolio through test shoots with modeling agencies and stylists, then approach magazines, brands, and e-commerce studios. Some find steady work as staff photographers at retailers before moving to freelance campaigns.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as photographers.
- Some College Courses27.3%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)18.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate13.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13.6%
- Bachelor's Degree13.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Some College Courses | 27.3% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 18.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 13.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 13.6% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 13.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Fashion Photographer do?
A fashion photographer creates images that sell clothes and tell a brand's story. Editorial and campaign photographers plan concepts with creative directors, stylists, and hair and makeup artists, then direct models and lighting on set or on location. E-commerce and catalog photographers shoot large volumes of product images in a consistent studio style.
The work goes well beyond pressing the shutter. Photographers plan lighting setups, scout locations, manage crews, and handle retouching or direct retouchers. Freelancers also handle the business side: estimates, contracts, usage licensing, marketing, and invoicing. Many specialize in beauty, swimwear, menswear, or luxury.
Day-to-day tasks
- Plan shoot concepts with creative directors and stylists
- Design and set up studio and location lighting
- Direct models on poses and expression
- Shoot product images to a consistent e-commerce standard
- Edit and retouch images or direct retouchers
- Prepare estimates, contracts, and image licensing terms
- Market services and build relationships with agencies and brands
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Fashion photographers work in studios and on location, which can mean early calls, long days, and travel for campaigns. Many are freelancers with irregular work and income, while e-commerce photographers often have regular studio schedules. The job involves carrying heavy equipment and many hours of editing.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Writing2.9
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
- Instructing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video creation and editing software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Fashion Photographer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ARE) built on O*NET's Photographer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Fashion Photographer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 6 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Realistic5.5
- Artistic5.5
- Conventional3.4
- Enterprising3.0
- Investigative2.2
- Social1.9
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Fashion Photographer
O*NET related occupations
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Production
Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator
$40,610median a year
Most earn $30K to $69K
−5.6%High school - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Fine Artist, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$55,490median a year
Most earn $32K to $144K
−2.9%Bachelor's - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
More arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media careers
Median annual pay, with photographers highlighted
- Art Director$114,850
- Technical Writer$90,390
- Editor$77,920
- Writer and Author$76,910
- Public Relations Specialist$74,750
- Interior Designer$67,190
- Graphic Designer$62,960
- Photographer$44,660
- Fashion Photographer$44,660
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $114,850 |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 |
| Editor | $77,920 |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 |
| Photographer | $44,660 |
| Fashion Photographer | $44,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Fashion Photographer appears on
Questions
Fashion Photographer: frequently asked questions
How much do Photographers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for photographers. It counts them within photographer, whose median pay is $44,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $36,050 and $62,740, and the top 10% earn $91,810 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Fashion Photographer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Photographers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 27.3% hold some college courses.
Is Fashion Photographer a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,000 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 10,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Fashion Photographer do?
A fashion photographer creates images that sell clothes and tell a brand's story. A typical task: plan shoot concepts with creative directors and stylists. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Desktop publishing software.
Which states pay Photographers the most?
The highest state medians for Photographers are District of Columbia ($110,970), New York ($60,050), Massachusetts ($57,990) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Fashion Photographer?
O*NET scores Photographers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTP, ISTP, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.