Are most photographers starving to death? Working part time as baristas? Living in their parent's basements?

 Find out what photographers really make for a living from this research:

https://petapixel.com/2025/08/29/how-many-photographers-are-making-over-300000-a-year/

Too long and don't want to look at all the charts?

My takeaway from the research is that here in the USA, among full time professional photographers interviewed, 39% make from $200,000 per year to over $300,000 per year, or more. There is a big proportion of photographers who make under $50K a year but tenure in the industry points to rising income by years of experience. 

Men, as usual, are over-represented. 

So, a larger percentage of full time working photographers than I expected are making as much as your average general practitioner doctor, CPA or median level attorney. Much better than expected. And right in line with my observations...

It's a range. But it's likely to be the same in most professions. 

A gifted advertising photographer, working in the right markets, can easily gather a net worth over millions of dollars by retirement age; given a good head for business and a history of sound investments. And no, the latest Sony, Leica or Nikon camera is not necessarily what I mean by "sound investments." 

Just thought I'd toss some red meat to the naysayers.