swoop
Well-known
I was going to flight school before I went to college to pursue a career in photojournalism. And entry level pilot's do not make $85k.
There was a list on Yahoo a long while ago. And Photographer was #8 on the list of "coolest jobs" It was also the lowest earning at $24k. Which oddly enough was how much I was making straight out of college at a Milwaukee based magazine as their sole staff photographer. I now earn about $14k as a freelance news photographer in New York City.
After reading on how they tally the scores I say Photojournalist deserves a 189. You don't earn much. You work hard either seeking out photos or working crap assignments you get commissioned. You're always get yelled at by cops. People who if they want, can put you in jail just for trying to earn some cash. In the winter it's cold outside. You're often waiting around on the schedule of others. If you're looking for spot news you're spending lots of time in bad neighborhoods with thousand of dollars worth of equipment. There's a lot of competition. Every kid on the internet wants to do your job and they'd do it for free just to get a clip. If you mess up once you're easily replaceable. And messing up is easy because you have seconds to get the right shot. And what you think is a pretty picture is often not the same opinion as the photoeditor or at smaller papers, the publisher who has no clue on anything about photography.
There was a list on Yahoo a long while ago. And Photographer was #8 on the list of "coolest jobs" It was also the lowest earning at $24k. Which oddly enough was how much I was making straight out of college at a Milwaukee based magazine as their sole staff photographer. I now earn about $14k as a freelance news photographer in New York City.
After reading on how they tally the scores I say Photojournalist deserves a 189. You don't earn much. You work hard either seeking out photos or working crap assignments you get commissioned. You're always get yelled at by cops. People who if they want, can put you in jail just for trying to earn some cash. In the winter it's cold outside. You're often waiting around on the schedule of others. If you're looking for spot news you're spending lots of time in bad neighborhoods with thousand of dollars worth of equipment. There's a lot of competition. Every kid on the internet wants to do your job and they'd do it for free just to get a clip. If you mess up once you're easily replaceable. And messing up is easy because you have seconds to get the right shot. And what you think is a pretty picture is often not the same opinion as the photoeditor or at smaller papers, the publisher who has no clue on anything about photography.
Last edited:
ReneSpudvilas
Perrennial amateur.
Someone mentioned roadies being the equivalent of maids....
.... in my experiences they have pretty sweet jobs. I get to spend a lot of time with major label bands due to having close friends in the industry...I am reasonably envious. The only down point seems to be that 90% of them are not roadie-ing for major label artists!
.... in my experiences they have pretty sweet jobs. I get to spend a lot of time with major label bands due to having close friends in the industry...I am reasonably envious. The only down point seems to be that 90% of them are not roadie-ing for major label artists!
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Earlier in my life I had to choose between photographer and biologist (#4). Seemed easier to be a professional biologist and an amateur photographer than the reverse.
maggieo
More Deadly
If only there was a profession that could crunch the numbers and come up with an answer to that question!
parsec1
parsec1
What else would you expect from an 'Organ' like the Wall Street Journal. Their 'Mantra' is to take from the poor and give to the wealthy.
If only they had the decency to use proper newsprint it would be useful for only one thing and wouldn't stain my underpants.
If only they had the decency to use proper newsprint it would be useful for only one thing and wouldn't stain my underpants.
Creagerj
Incidental Artist
Interestingly, photographic process worker came in at #93. What cracks me up is I just got my BA in history. Somehow I can't bring myself to put a lot of stock in a list that ranks Historian at #5 and Philosopher at #11.
tlitody
Well-known
Definition of an Actuary: Someone who finds accountancy too exciting.
Getting job satisfaction for them is easy. But methinks they get awarded first place just because your pension depends on telling them they are really lucky to be doing what they do. Just imagine if you told them they were really last. Your pension funds might not get so much attention.
alan davus
Well-known
Plumbing came in at 150. Mmmmm!! A million years ago I begun studying law at Adelaide Uni but woke up one morning and said, what the f... am I doing? Became a plumber and have never regretted it for one minute. Have worked for myself for so long I wouldn't know what a boss is and have done quite nicely out of it. In fact my best mate is a lawyer as is one of my wife's oldest friends and I do rather better than them. With miles less stress. And I know few good plumbers that don't earn at least 100k. But actuary as no.1, give me a break.
Luna
Well-known
We need more people like you everywhere in the world.
I always take the law into my own hands; throwing a brick at someone's house, throwing a beer at some dumb drivers, or shooting someone for disrespect.
But when it comes to my sink & toilet. I'm clueless.