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Photographers in California
Considering a career as a Photographer in California?
While jobs for Photographers in California are decreasing, those who do work in these jobs get paid higher than average.
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Employment for Photographers in California is expected to decrease.
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Photographers in California earn lower salaries than the typical U.S. wage earner.
What Major Will Prepare You For a Photographer Career?
- Communication & Journalism
- Journalism
- Photojournalism
- Visual & Performing Arts
- General Visual & Performing Arts
- Visual & Performing Arts
- Digital Arts
- Design & Applied Arts
- Commercial Photography
- Film, Video & Photographic Arts
- Photography
- Fine & Studio Arts
- Art Studies
Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
How Many Photographers Work in California?
In California, there were 6,060 people working as Photographers in the year 2018.
There were 5,810 Photographers employed in this state in 2017.
That’s growth of 250 jobs between 2017 and 2018.
The typical state has 570 Photographers working in it, which means California has more Photographers than average.
Job Projections for California
Jobs for Photographers in this state are declining at a rate of 4.3% which is a slower decline than the nationwide estimated projection of
California Annual Job Openings
The BLS is projecting 1,500 annual Photographers job openings in California, and 20,100 total jobs in the year 2026.
Nationwide, the prediction is 10,300 annual jobs and 139,000 total jobs in 2026.
What do Photographers Make in California?
In 2018 wages for Photographers ranged from $23,630 to $90,300 with $46,790 being the median annual salary.
Broken down to an hourly rate, workers in this field made anywhere from $11.36 to $43.41. The median hourly rate was $22.5.
In 2017 the median pay for this field was $19.25 an hour.
The hourly rate grew by $3.25.
The median salary in California is higher than the nationwide median salary.
Explore Best Ranked Schools for You
Top California Metros for Photographers
The table below shows some of the metros in this state with the most Photographers.
| Metro | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 3,300 | $53,720 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 790 | $65,210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 380 | $34,080 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 300 | $39,510 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | 280 | $36,650 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 120 | $30,780 |
| Fresno, CA | 90 | $29,250 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 90 | $40,710 |
| Bakersfield, CA | 50 | $39,500 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 50 | $26,010 |
| Modesto, CA | 50 | $38,660 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 50 | $45,950 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 40 | $44,440 |
Top States for Photographers Employment
View the list below to see where most Photographers work.
| State | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 6,060 | $46,790 |
| Florida | 4,480 | $28,880 |
| New York | 4,090 | $43,210 |
| Texas | 3,070 | $28,100 |
| Illinois | 2,600 | $31,460 |
| Ohio | 1,880 | $29,920 |
| Georgia | 1,850 | $36,670 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,740 | $30,260 |
| North Carolina | 1,450 | $26,400 |
| New Jersey | 1,400 | $27,570 |
| Michigan | 1,330 | $0 |
| Missouri | 1,220 | $28,830 |
| Massachusetts | 1,220 | $46,770 |
| Wisconsin | 1,070 | $29,360 |
| Washington | 1,030 | $44,180 |
| Arizona | 1,020 | $27,310 |
| Virginia | 860 | $32,820 |
| Tennessee | 810 | $28,530 |
| Indiana | 800 | $31,990 |
| Nevada | 770 | $29,820 |
Below are the states where Photographers get paid the most:
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,720 |
| Rhode Island | $55,990 |
| Minnesota | $47,810 |
| California | $46,790 |
| Massachusetts | $46,770 |
| Washington | $44,180 |
| Mississippi | $43,330 |
| Vermont | $43,230 |
| New York | $43,210 |
| Alaska | $42,160 |
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Image Credit: By Jorge Royan under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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