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Sector

Careers in Photography & Video Production

Photography and video production creates visual content for clients — from commercial photography to video production. Hybrid work possible for editing with low formal credentials.

49K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$49K
Median salary
Across all roles
Photography & Video Production jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Photography & Video Production employment by metro · ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ1K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA1K
3.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN593
4.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX452
5.Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA418

Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density

1.Kahului-Wailuku, HI26.9
2.Anniston-Oxford, AL24.5
3.Bozeman, MT22.9
4.Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL22.7
5.Flagstaff, AZ20.5
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Photography & Video Production

Photography and video production create visual content — there's satisfaction in capturing images, creative storytelling, and making content that communicates. Many find meaning in visual expression and variety of shoots.

The challenge can come from income variability and competition. Freelance income is uneven; slow periods happen. Equipment costs are significant. Everyone with a smartphone competes on some level. Building a reputation takes years.

The field varies by specialization and model. Commercial photography differs from wedding, editorial, product, or video. Freelance operates differently than staff positions or production companies. Still photography has different workflows than video.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are genuine: creative work, variety of shoots and subjects, seeing your images used, and visual careers. If you love creating images, can build a client base, and want creative careers with flexibility, photo and video offers fulfilling opportunities.

How people break in

Portfolio is essential. Technical proficiency with equipment matters. Business skills enable freelance success. Assisting established professionals provides learning.

Work environment tends toward
Portfolio essentialProject-basedEquipment investmentClient developmentFreelance common
Industries it connects to
Salary vs. national average
-30%
$49K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$38K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level →
Salary range across all photography & video production roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$89K
2. Boulder$75K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$71K
4. Durham-Chapel Hill$68K
5. Trenton-Princeton$68K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$67K in mid-market metros to ~$101K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $101K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont · $85K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $77K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $89K adj.
Boulder · $75K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $71K adj.
Most jobs
New York · 18.4M
Los Angeles · 12.3M
Chicago · 9.1M
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Photography & Video Production.

🚪
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Professional Services data
25%
Higher than average turnover. This could indicate challenging conditions, seasonal work, or abundant external opportunities.
3%vs. 22% all industries
🏢
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
99%
Small
<50
1%
Mid
50–249
0%
Large
250+
🏠
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Hybrid common
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
📋
Credential Density
Low
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
🤝
Union Presence
Based on all Professional Services data
~1%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
1%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in Photography & Video Production

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Arts & Media · Advertising agencies, design studios, and production companies. Creative work with commercial deadlines. Portfolio-driven careers with client variety.
16%
$49K median
Explore →
Marketing · Agency life, consulting, and B2B. Fast-paced, client-facing, multi-brand exposure. You'll learn breadth over depth and pitch constantly.
15%
$45K median
Explore →
Healthcare · Healthcare consulting, medical device sales support, and clinical research. Business side of healthcare with clinical background.
13%
$43K median
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Admin & Office · Law firms, consulting, and agencies run on admin excellence. High expectations, fast pace, client visibility. You'll master systems and become indispensable.
7%
$56K median
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Sales · B2B sales roles selling consulting, legal, accounting, and business services to corporate clients with complex, relationship-driven sales cycles.
6%
$57K median
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Business Operations · Consulting firms, law offices, and agencies need you to keep the machine running. Client-facing pressure, high standards, fast pace. You'll learn operational excellence.
6%
$63K median
Explore →
Median salary for occupations employed within Photography & Video Production. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in Photography & Video Production

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.