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 |
Salary Comparison
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.
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.
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