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SOC 27-4021·Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media
Photographers
Median wage
$59,268
10-yr outlook
+3.9%by 2032
Openings / year
813
Workers in NY
3,620
How pay grows with experience
Photographers — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $37,643 |
| Median (typical) | $59,268 |
| Experienced | $88,815 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Photographers — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| New York City | $80,449 |
| Long Island | $55,535 |
| Mohawk Valley | $51,529 |
| Hudson Valley | $49,657 |
| Finger Lakes | $45,069 |
| Central New York | $44,815 |
| Capital Region | $42,885 |
| Western New York | $41,096 |
| Southern Tier | $37,312 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
These occupations are in the same broad field (Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media) and pay more than a Photographers. It's a transparent “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Audio and Video Equipment Technicians$65,364 median (+$6,096) · +6.8% by 2032
- Radio and Television Announcers$73,519 median (+$14,251) · −2.8% by 2032
- Interior Designers$75,633 median (+$16,365) · +1.4% by 2032
- Graphic Designers$76,556 median (+$17,287) · +3.0% by 2032
- Media and Communication Workers, All Other$79,397 median (+$20,129) · −0.6% by 2032
- Designers, All Other$80,254 median (+$20,986) · +1.5% by 2032
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