Photographers in Colorado
Thinking about a career as a Photographers in Colorado? Here’s what the data says. 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. Excludes “Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film” (27-4031).
What do Photographers Make in Colorado?
For a photographers working in Colorado, wages run about $43,560 per year (or about $20.94/hour).Pay can range from $32,160 at the 10th percentile to $78,590 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,160 | $15.46 |
| 25th percentile | $36,740 | $17.67 |
| Median (50th) | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| 75th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 90th percentile | $78,590 | $37.78 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Colorado relative to the national average — is 1.04.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, photographers earn a median of $75,743 per year ($36.42/hour), lower than the Colorado median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 84,572 photographers in the U.S.. In Colorado alone, approximately 1,000 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 530 photographers.
Top Colorado Metros for Photographers
The largest metro-area employers of photographers in Colorado.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 530 | $44,810 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 120 | $37,250 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 70 | $57,550 |
| Boulder, CO | 50 | $47,660 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 40 | $34,270 |
| Greeley, CO | 30 | $39,520 |
Top States for Photographers Employment
View the states that employ the most photographers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 7,300 |
| Florida | 4,450 |
| Texas | 3,780 |
| New York | 3,620 |
| Illinois | 2,530 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,000 |
| Ohio | 1,970 |
| Georgia | 1,950 |
| North Carolina | 1,620 |
| Virginia | 1,360 |
| New Jersey | 1,280 |
| Washington | 1,260 |
| Massachusetts | 1,170 |
| Tennessee | 1,090 |
| Arizona | 1,090 |
| Wisconsin | 1,040 |
| Michigan | 1,000 |
| Colorado | 1,000 |
| Indiana | 870 |
| Maryland | 870 |
Highest-Paying States for Photographers
The highest-paying states for photographers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,530 |
| Massachusetts | $60,610 |
| New York | $57,700 |
| Oregon | $55,640 |
| Minnesota | $54,650 |
| New Jersey | $50,760 |
| California | $50,610 |
| Delaware | $50,040 |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 |
| Louisiana | $49,740 |
Skills
The most important photographers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for photographers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Photographers typically:
- 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.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Thinking Creatively
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Getting Information
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects In-demand technologies: Adobe Photoshop
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Fine & Studio Arts
- General Visual & Performing Arts
- Film, Video & Photographic Arts
- Design & Applied Arts
- Journalism
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like photographers include:
- Art Directors
- Craft Artists
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
- Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Floral Designers
- Graphic Designers
Also Known As
Advertising Photographer, Aerial Photographer, Automotive Photographer, Biological Photographer, Biomedical Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Crime Scene Photographer, Digital Photographer, Event Photographer, Fashion Photographer, Finish Photographer, Food Photographer, Forensic Photographer, Freelance Photographer, Graduation Photographer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-4021.00
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