Photographers in Texas
Want to work as a Photographers in Texas? 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 Texas?
The photographers working in Texas, the median annual wage is $36,760 per year (or roughly $17.67/hour).Pay can range from $21,150 at the 10th percentile to $60,530 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,150 | $10.17 |
| 25th percentile | $30,750 | $14.78 |
| Median (50th) | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| 75th percentile | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 90th percentile | $60,530 | $29.10 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Texas nationwide is 0.82, meaning fewer photographers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, photographers earn a median of $75,743 per year ($36.42/hour), below the Texas median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 84,572 photographers in the U.S.. In Texas alone, about 3,780 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 530 photographers.
Top Texas Metros for Photographers
The largest metro-area employers of photographers in Texas.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,280 | $37,420 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 730 | $38,480 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 470 | $35,550 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 300 | $35,850 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 100 | $33,750 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 80 | $28,110 |
| El Paso, TX | 70 | $36,700 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 40 | $36,030 |
| Lubbock, TX | 40 | $41,790 |
| Amarillo, TX | 30 | $38,760 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 30 | $34,190 |
Top States for Photographers Employment
These states have the highest employment of 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
Important 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
Common tasks include:
- 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?
Programs that train for this career 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