Also called: Collections Photographer
Photographs museum objects and artworks with perfect color and lighting for catalogs and websites.
A museum photographer sets up lights to capture a painting's true colors, shoots 3D objects from every angle, and works with conservators to document damage.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in photography.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Photography.
Shrinking (about -2% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 27-4021: Decline (-1% or lower).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Automated imaging systems and AI color correction take over much catalog photography; fewer staff photographers are needed.
Classes: Photography, Art, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.