Your degree doesn’t dictate your future salary, but it is a strong indicator.
After graduation, photography graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $82,308, while the bottom 20% make closer to $28,019. The median grad salary is $48,022.
Photography graduate salaries over time
The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in photography is $33,087, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $39,945.
This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
Wage ($USD)
Wage Range Median Wage
Years of work experience
Highest paying jobs for photography graduates
The highest paying careers for photography graduates are photojournalist and photographer, with top salaries averaging around $46,230.
Highest Paying Careers
Avg Pay (USD)
As per most recent US census
Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in photography is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career
