Professional Photography Salaries

Predicting your future salary in professional photography is a tricky business. There are any number of factors that could affect your earning potential. For instance, will you live in a large city or a smaller town? How much work experience will you have? Will you have a photography degree? Will you be working full time? Will you own your own photography business or work in a salaried position? What kind of photography will you do?

While there is a wide range of things that could affect your earnings, there is also a wide range of salaries for professional photographers. According to HR data reported by Salary.com in October, 2009, the middle 50 percent of professional photographers earns between $42,770 and $63,587.

There are many paths you can take in professional photography—some of them more lucrative than others. Your future career and the salary you'll earn will depend on your own preferences and choices, as well as your determination to succeed—whichever path you choose.

Ready to start earning a professional photographer salary? Getting career training is a good first step. Find photography schools in our directory, and prepare for a future in professional photography.