Gig Economy

Stock Photographer Gig Guide

Sell photos to stock photo agencies like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.

58Average

Overview

Sell photos to stock photo agencies like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.

Median Salary
$8,000
Weekly Hours
15
Education
None
Job Growth
2%

Key Metrics

Stress4/10
Work-Life Balance7/10
Job Security3/10
Remote Friendly10/10
Physical Demand2/10
Automation Risk7/10

Pros

  • +Passive income
  • +Creative outlet
  • +Travel
  • +Remote

Cons

  • -Low pay per photo
  • -Competition
  • -AI disruption
  • -Marketing needed

Savings Calculator

Percentage saved10%
0%25%50%
Yearly Savings
$800
Monthly Savings
$67

Career & Education Resources

C

Coursera

Find Stock Photographer specializations

U

Udemy

Hands-on Stock Photographer bootcamps

in

LinkedIn Learning

Professional Stock Photographer paths

I

Indeed

Browse live Stock Photographer jobs

Career & Education Resources

C

Coursera

Find Stock Photographer specializations

U

Udemy

Hands-on Stock Photographer bootcamps

in

LinkedIn Learning

Professional Stock Photographer paths

I

Indeed

Browse live Stock Photographer jobs

WorkScore™ for Stock Photographer

4.2
Overall
0.7
Salary
5.0
Low Stress
7.0
WLB

Growth Outlook

2%

AI Automation Risk

High

Compare with Other Careers

Stock Photographer Salaries by City

All cities with adjusted Stock Photographer salaries:

San Francisco, CA
Cost of living: 202
$10,800
+35% vs national
New York, NY
Cost of living: 187
$10,000
+25% vs national
Seattle, WA
Cost of living: 172
$10,000
+25% vs national
Boston, MA
Cost of living: 178
$10,000
+25% vs national
Los Angeles, CA
Cost of living: 173
$9,600
+20% vs national
Chicago, IL
Cost of living: 121
$8,400
+5% vs national
Austin, TX
Cost of living: 110
$8,400
+5% vs national
Denver, CO
Cost of living: 121
$8,400
+5% vs national
Miami, FL
Cost of living: 132
$8,400
+5% vs national
Portland, OR
Cost of living: 131
$8,400
+5% vs national
Dallas, TX
Cost of living: 102
$8,160
+2% vs national
Houston, TX
Cost of living: 96
$7,840
2% vs national
Atlanta, GA
Cost of living: 103
$7,840
2% vs national
Phoenix, AZ
Cost of living: 101
$7,600
5% vs national
Nashville, TN
Cost of living: 101
$7,600
5% vs national

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make money?

Royalties from photo downloads.

Can I make a living?

Rarely. Most earn side income.

Is stock photography growing?

Slowly, with AI disruption.