Photographers Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$42,520
↑ 47.3% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Photographers — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Photographers — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 47.3% since 2011 ($28,860 → $42,520)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $42,520
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 13.8% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +0%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $42,520 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $40,760 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $40,170 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $38,950 | -5.6% |
| 2020 | $41,280 | +13.8% |
| 2019 | $36,280 | +6.7% |
| 2018 | $34,000 | +4.6% |
| 2017 | $32,490 | -4.6% |
| 2016 | $34,070 | +7.4% |
| 2015 | $31,710 | +4.0% |
| 2014 | $30,490 | +4.1% |
| 2013 | $29,280 | +2.8% |
| 2012 | $28,490 | -1.3% |
| 2011 | $28,860 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.