According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for photographers and photo processing are 27.48% higher in 2025 versus 2002 (a $5.50 difference in value).
Between 2002 and 2025: Photographers and photo processing experienced an average inflation rate of 1.06% per year. In other words, photographers and photo processing costing $20 in the year 2002 would cost $25.50 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.52% during this same period, inflation for photographers and photo processing was lower.
In the year 2002: Pricing changed by 1.33%, which is above the average yearly change for photographers and photo processing during the 2002-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2002 (1.59%), inflation for photographers and photo processing was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photographers and photo processing, over time, for $20 beginning in 2002. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | $20.00 | 1.33% |
| 2003 | $20.12 | 0.59% |
| 2004 | $20.15 | 0.17% |
| 2005 | $20.06 | -0.44% |
| 2006 | $20.07 | 0.01% |
| 2007 | $20.09 | 0.14% |
| 2008 | $20.41 | 1.59% |
| 2009 | $21.11 | 3.40% |
| 2010 | $21.31 | 0.98% |
| 2011 | $21.96 | 3.02% |
| 2012 | $22.36 | 1.83% |
| 2013 | $22.58 | 1.01% |
| 2014 | $23.07 | 2.18% |
| 2015 | $23.34 | 1.13% |
| 2016 | $23.84 | 2.15% |
| 2017 | $23.62 | -0.94% |
| 2018 | $23.31 | -1.30% |
| 2019 | $22.87 | -1.89% |
| 2020 | $23.19 | 1.39% |
| 2021 | $23.56 | 1.63% |
| 2022 | $24.69 | 4.79% |
| 2023 | $26.17 | 5.97% |
| 2024 | $25.70 | -1.78% |
| 2025 | $25.50 | -0.79%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Photographers and photo processing:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 100.500 | 100.954 | 102.577 | 103.608 | 104.985 | 105.600 | 105.777 | 105.315 | 105.331 | 105.476 | 107.149 | 110.794 | 111.878 | 115.257 | 117.365 | 118.545 | 121.124 | 122.498 | 125.134 | 123.961 | 122.353 | 120.045 | 121.708 | 123.688 | 129.611 | 137.349 | 134.901 | 133.836 |