Commercial Photography: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Commercial Photography is a dynamic field focused on leveraging visual storytelling through advanced photographic techniques to meet the demands of business, advertising, and industry. This program equips students with the technical mastery and creative vision needed to produce compelling imagery for marketing, editorial, product, and event contexts across digital and traditional media.
- Digital and Film Photography Techniques: Explore the fundamentals and nuances of capturing high-quality images using both digital and film formats, including exposure control, lighting design, and post-processing workflows.
- Still and Video Production: Develop skills in composing and executing still photography as well as short-form video content, tailored for commercial applications such as product showcases, brand campaigns, and client documentation.
- Specialized Camera and Equipment Operation: Gain hands-on experience with professional-grade cameras, lenses, lighting systems, and support gear, including maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting protocols.
- Commercial and Industrial Applications: Learn how photography serves diverse sectors—from retail and real estate to manufacturing and scientific documentation—by creating accurate, persuasive, and visually impactful imagery.
- Photography Business Operations: Understand the professional side of the craft, including client relations, project management, pricing models, contracts, intellectual property rights, and building a sustainable creative practice.
Commercial Photography Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Commercial Photography Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Commercial Photography degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Photographers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 149,120 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Photographers 27-4021 | $42,520 | $29,610 - $94,760 | 51,230 | $20.44 |
Commercial Photography Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,540 in Nevada to $96,765 in District of Columbia—a 127% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Vermont. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 149,120 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Commercial Photography by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 63 institutions offering Commercial Photography programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Commercial Photography is found at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) (115 graduates), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (102 graduates), Austin Community College District (ACC) (49 graduates), Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (36 graduates), and Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 899 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
115 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
102 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
49 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
31 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Academia Serrant Inc |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
29 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | serrant.edu |
| North Georgia Technical College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Clarkesville, Georgia | Public | northgatech.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
26 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Tyler Junior College (TJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24 | Tyler, Texas | Public | tjc.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
21 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television (CCAT) |
Associate's
|
20 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | ccatpuertorico.com |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College |
Associate's
|
14 | Long Island City, New York | Public | lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Other Award
|
12 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | jefferson.kctcs.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
|
12 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| McHenry County College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Public | mchenry.edu |
| Iowa Central Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Fort Dodge, Iowa | Public | iowacentral.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
| Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Public | stcc.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Nossi College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | nossi.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Associate's
|
8 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Hawkeye Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Waterloo, Iowa | Public | hawkeyecollege.edu |
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Other Award
|
7 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Odessa College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Odessa, Texas | Public | odessa.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College (PTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Utica, New York | Public | mvcc.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Master's
|
6 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Gresham, Oregon | Public | mhcc.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Spokane, Washington | Public | sfcc.spokane.edu |
| Sessions College for Professional Design |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | sessions.edu |
| Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C) |
Other Award
|
4 | Godfrey, Illinois | Public | lc.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
4 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Other Award
|
2 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| Triton College |
Associate's
|
2 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| Cecil College |
Other Award
|
2 | North East, Maryland | Public | cecil.edu |
| Harford Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Bel Air, Maryland | Public | harford.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Oakton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| Prairie State College (PSC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Chicago Heights, Illinois | Public | prairiestate.edu |
| Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Gardner, Massachusetts | Public | mwcc.edu |
| Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Centreville, Michigan | Public | glenoaks.edu |
| Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Rochester, Minnesota | Public | rctc.edu |
| Century College |
Associate's
|
1 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
| Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Athens, Texas | Public | tvcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Commercial Photography programs
How much can I earn with a Commercial Photography degree?
Salaries for Commercial Photography graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Photographers earn around $42,520. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $96,765 compared to $42,540 in Nevada. Approximately 149,120 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Commercial Photography programs?
Currently 63 accredited institutions offer Commercial Photography degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Columbus State Community College (CSCC) (115 graduates), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (102 graduates), and Austin Community College District (ACC) (49 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Commercial Photography growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,197 in 2010 to a peak of 1,101 in 2020, before declining slightly to 899 in 2023-24. This represents a 25% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Commercial Photography degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Photographers, . Related occupations employ approximately 149,120 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Arts Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Arts field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Environmental and Social Art
A program that focuses on using the arts to promote activism, civic dialog, community development, ecological and environmental awareness, or social justice. Includes...
Visual and Performing Arts
Any instructional program in visual and performing arts not listed above.
Visual and Performing Arts
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic...
Digital Arts
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the use of computerized digital images as the primary medium of expression in the visual and...
Craft Design and Artisanry
A program that focuses on the aesthetics, techniques, and creative processes for designing and fashioning objects in one or more of the handcraft...
Dance
A general program that prepares individuals to express ideas, feelings, and/or inner visions through the performance of one or more of the dance...