Photographers in Pennsylvania
Want to work as a Photographers in Pennsylvania? Below are the key facts. 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 Pennsylvania?
The photographers working in Pennsylvania, the typical annual salary is $39,640 per year (or about $19.06/hour).Pay can range from $28,530 at the 10th percentile to $73,220 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,530 | $13.72 |
| 25th percentile | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Median (50th) | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| 75th percentile | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| 90th percentile | $73,220 | $35.20 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Pennsylvania relative to the national average — is 1.00.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, photographers earn a median of $75,743 per year ($36.42/hour), below the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 84,572 photographers nationwide. In Pennsylvania alone, around 2,000 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 530 photographers.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Photographers
The metro areas below employ the most photographers in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 830 | $45,310 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 580 | $34,430 |
| Lancaster, PA | 140 | $41,690 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 110 | $39,140 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 90 | $42,080 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 30 | $41,600 |
| Reading, PA | 30 | $43,770 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 30 | n/a |
Top States for Photographers Employment
The table below shows the states where 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
These states pay the most 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
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for photographers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, 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
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: 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
Careers similar to 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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