Outdoors Journalism Jobs: "Below Waiter But Above Undertaker"

January 11, 2010 By: timromano

Think being a fishing photographer is the job of a lifetime? Toting your camera along on fishing trips is one thing, but taking that giant leap and trying to support yourself shooting fishing may be another. That goes for being a fishing magazine editor too.
Rob Haggart, the former director of photography for Men’s Journal and Outside magazine reports in his blog www.aphotoeditor.com. He’s not sure “it’s very sound in its methodology but still it’s kind of fun to browse the different jobs. Since the photographer jobs listed are staff positions I wonder where freelance falls on the list?”
Haggart found that:
“The 200 best and worst jobs in the U.S. in 2009 based on five criteria — environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress — according to a newly released study from job site CareerCast.com
#65 Publication Editor (just above Forklift Operator)?
Starting salary: $28,000?
Mid level salary: $50,000?
Top salary: $95,000
#126 Photographer (just below Waiter but still above Undertaker)?
Starting salary: $17,000?
Mid level salary: $29,000?
Top salary: $62,000
#189 Photojournalist (sadly falls below Nuclear Plant Decontamination Technician but still above Meter Maid)?
Starting salary: $16,000?
Mid level salary: $28,000?
Top salary: $60,000″
Still got a hankering to drop everything, quit your job and try and hack it as an outdoor photojournalist?