How much would you make as a photographer?  The industry average has photographers ringing in at $34,010 a year.  If you sit right in the middle of the pack, you'll be one of the median 50% of practicing photographers who average at $27,720.  The lowest 25% are scraping by at $19,470, but if you truly excel in the field, then you might join the ranks of the top quartile, who bring in $41,280 a year.

Of course, those are averages, and we've already seen that photography is an incredibly diverse profession.  The best-paying specialties for photographers were these:

Another way to break up the average is to take a look at where photographers made the most.  Keep in mind, however, that costs of living also vary from place to place and it's not a good decision to choose the launching pad for your photography career based on numbers alone.

*Information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor site

If you are interested in Photography Salaries, you may also be interested in finding more information on Performing Arts Salaries, Drafting Salaries, Animation Salaries and Art Management Salaries. Feel free to browse these art school profiles and securely submit your information to request information.