Photographers
SOC Code: 27-4021 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Photographers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $45,635 | $68,765 | $91,874 | $115,003 |
| Monroe, MI | $35,256 | $61,485 | $87,693 | $113,922 |
| Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $34,174 | $59,446 | $84,739 | $110,011 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $35,214 | $60,070 | $84,947 | $109,803 |
| Jackson, MI | $35,235 | $60,008 | $84,781 | $109,554 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $43,410 | $65,146 | $86,902 | $108,638 |
| Flint, MI | $34,840 | $59,363 | $83,866 | $108,389 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,546 | $60,050 | $83,554 | $107,058 |
| Modesto, CA | $42,723 | $64,085 | $85,446 | $106,808 |
| Salem, OR | $34,653 | $55,994 | $77,314 | $98,654 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.7 |
| Sales and Marketing | 4.5 |
| Computers and Electronics | 4.2 |
| Administration and Management | 3.9 |
| Communications and Media | 3.7 |
| English Language | 3.7 |
| Fine Arts | 3.5 |
| Production and Processing | 3.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 27.3% |
| High school diploma | 18.2% |
| Some college | 13.6% |
| Associate's degree | 13.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 13.6% |
| Less than high school | 9.1% |
| Master's degree | 4.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
- Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
- Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
- Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Adobe After Effects Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Apple macOS Facebook Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word WordPress Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Apple Final Cut Pro
Calculate your wage level for Photographers →
Advertisement
H-1B Guides & Resources
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.