Photography reference
Photography industry statistics
A current set of photography, camera, and digital art collecting facts for writers, researchers, and people who want the source behind the number.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Camera market
Worldwide shipment figures reported by the Camera & Imaging Products Association.
4.36M
digital still cameras shipped worldwide
CIPA member companies reported 4,356,628 worldwide shipments from January through June 2026.
Camera & Imaging Products Association, June 2026 data3.13M
interchangeable-lens cameras shipped worldwide
CIPA member companies reported 3,130,651 worldwide shipments from January through June 2026.
Camera & Imaging Products Association, June 2026 data2.88M
mirrorless cameras shipped worldwide
CIPA member companies reported 2,881,181 worldwide shipments from January through June 2026.
Camera & Imaging Products Association, June 2026 dataPhotography work
U.S. employment and pay figures for photographers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
151,200
photographer jobs in the United States
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 151,200 photographer jobs in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024 employment$20.44
median hourly pay for photographers
The U.S. median hourly wage for photographers was $20.44 in May 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 20242%
projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects photographer employment to reach 154,000 in 2034, with about 12,700 openings each year on average.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024 to 2034 projectionDigital art collecting
Recent market signals from Art Basel and UBS research on art buyers and digital work.
$59.6B
estimated global art market sales
Global art market sales rose 4% in 2025, reaching an estimated $59.6 billion.
Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, 2025 market data$9.2B
online art sales in 2025
Online-only sales represented 15% of the art market in 2025, according to Art Basel and UBS.
Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, 2025 market data51%
of surveyed high-net-worth collectors who bought digital art
Digital art ranked third by share of fine-art spending in the survey, accounting for 14% of total spending.
Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting, 2025 surveySources and method
Use the source closest to the claim.
Each figure above links directly to the organization that published it. Camera figures are reported by CIPA member companies and include overseas production. Employment figures refer to the United States. Art-market figures summarize the survey or market definitions used by Art Basel and UBS.
This page is reviewed regularly. When a source publishes a newer comparable figure, the existing section and its link stay in place while the number and date are updated.
Cite this page
KaitlynPics. “Photography Industry Statistics.” Updated August 26, 2026. https://kaitlynpics.com/photography-industry-statistics