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Occupation · SOC 27-4021

Photographers

There are 51,760 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $44,660 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Arts, Sports & MediaTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
51,760
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$44,660
Median pay a year
Middle half: $36,050–$62,740
10,700
Annual openings
10-year change: −0.7%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 180 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $47,840 · LCA filings 04,290$47,8400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $60,050 · LCA filings 03,590$60,0500
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $36,810 · LCA filings 01,590$36,8100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $43,970 · LCA filings 01,480$43,9700
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $49,980 · LCA filings 01,470$49,9800
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $36,970 · LCA filings 01,140$36,9700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $54,530 · LCA filings 01,060$54,5300
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLMedian pay $34,860 · LCA filings 0980$34,8600
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $43,750 · LCA filings 0950$43,7500
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $48,670 · LCA filings 0930$48,6700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Bend, OREmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$65,990300
Fort Collins–Loveland, COEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$62,550700
Boulder, COEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$60,930600
Springfield, MAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$60,430400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 3,590 · LCA filings 0$60,0503,5900

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $55,432 · Level III $73,341 · Level IV $91,229$37,544$55,432$73,341$91,229
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $55,619 · Level III $71,698 · Level IV $87,755$39,562$55,619$71,698$87,755
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $42,162 · Level III $51,938 · Level IV $61,714$32,386$42,162$51,938$61,714
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $37,877 · Level III $45,406 · Level IV $52,936$30,347$37,877$45,406$52,936
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $46,301 · Level III $58,032 · Level IV $69,763$34,570$46,301$58,032$69,763
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $40,435 · Level III $47,091 · Level IV $53,726$33,800$40,435$47,091$53,726
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $54,226 · Level III $70,054 · Level IV $85,904$38,376$54,226$70,054$85,904
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLLevel II $37,502 · Level III $45,344 · Level IV $53,165$29,682$37,502$45,344$53,165
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $43,222 · Level III $52,395 · Level IV $61,589$34,029$43,222$52,395$61,589
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $44,907 · Level III $61,048 · Level IV $77,189$28,766$44,907$61,048$77,189

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsCIP 50.06OPT · up to 12 months1,702OPT · up to 12 months
Fine and Studio ArtsCIP 50.07OPT · up to 12 months1,905OPT · up to 12 months
JournalismCIP 09.04OPT · up to 12 months416OPT · up to 12 months

See Photographers in every metro area

All 180 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology