Photographers
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Photographers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 20% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 51,760 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $44,660 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 82% for contact with people.
- Also called: Advertising Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Graduation Photographer, Newspaper Photographer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software | 14% | 84% to 97% | |
| Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies | 11% | 60% to 90% | |
| Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff | 7% | 30% to 54% | |
| Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Review sets of photographs to select the best work | 5% | 55% to 85% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills photographers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Disc Jockeys, Except Radio62% of tasks by 2035
- Funeral Home Managers58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,790
- Fundraising Managers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $125,470
- Chief Communications Officers54% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Photographers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of photographers?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of photographers today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-4021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Photographers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/photographers/