Photojournalist: one of the worst jobs in 2009

Posted by Olivier Laurent on 06 Jan 2010

The Wall Street Journal has published its list of the 200 best and worst jobs in 2009. At the top of the list is Actuary with a top-level salary of $161,000 and software engineers, who can hope to earn $129,000. Photojournalists, on the other hand, are way down in that list, coming in 189th position with a starting salary of $16,000 and a top-level salary of $60,000.

Only 11 other positions are considered worse than being a photojournalist. They are: Butcher, Mail Carrier, Meter Reader, Construction Worker, Taxi Driver, Garbage Collector, Welder, Dairy Farmer, Ironworker, Lumberjack and Roustabout...

Comments

Only 11 worse jobs that being a photojournalist?

I often wonder why the arts are so poorly valued when it comes to compensation for work. I suppose I'm biased, but I think the work we do as photographers is far more important to the world than anything an actuary could do.

Shame really, but I suppose that's life.

Alex

Posted by: Alex Suffolk Wedding Photographer on 06 Jan 2010 at 11:35

The arts professions are paid poorly at the bottom. The stars are always compensated handsomely. I don't think of photojournalist as an artist. Rather a craftsman. Sort of like a haberdasher. Soon to be redundant due to cheap knock offs from the mass producers.

Posted by: David on 06 Jan 2010 at 22:08

But what you will find is that many of those in the 188 jobs better than being a Photo-Journalist would give their eye teeth and both arms to do what we do....as I always say at the end of one of my lectures,'.....It's better than working'.

We are incredibly fortunate !! Just a tad broke.

Brian Harris

Posted by: Brian Harris on 07 Jan 2010 at 11:23