Film and Photography
Visual & Performing Arts · federal classification: Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $31,668 | $25,198 to $34,683 | 14 | 29% |
| Associate's Degree | $32,682 | $29,989 to $39,915 | 16 | 38% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $44,145 | $38,948 to $49,977 | 155 | 84% |
| Master's Degree | $52,120 | $45,984 to $56,266 | 24 | 96% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +2% (2024 to 2034), about 43,700 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $83,480 | +4.9% | 12,800 |
| Photographers | $42,520 | +1.8% | 12,700 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,190 | +1.7% | 9,000 |
| Film and Video Editors | $70,980 | +4% | 3,600 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $68,810 | +1.2% | 2,900 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,800 | +2.1% | 2,700 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.