Photographer salary
BLS occupation: Photographers · Arts, design, media and sports · data for May 2025
Median salary $44,660 a year, US
Median hourly pay $21.47 an hour
Middle half earn $36,050–$62,740 25th to 75th percentile
Photographers employed 51,760 −0.7% projected by 2035
How much does a photographer make?
- The median photographer salary in the US is $44,660 a year ($21.47 an hour): half of the 51,760 photographers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $55,410.
- The middle half earn between $36,050 and $62,740. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $30,820 and the top 10% more than $91,810.
- That is 12% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays photographers the most (median $110,970), followed by New York ($60,050) and Massachusetts ($57,990). Arkansas pays the least ($32,810).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $100,973 in typical US prices, then New York and Massachusetts.
- In 2 of the 172 metro areas with data, the median photographer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of photographers to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 10,700 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what photographers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Photographer salary range
Half of photographers earn between $36,050 and $62,740 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $30,820
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $36,050
Median Yearly pay: $44,660
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $62,740
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $91,810
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $30,820 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $36,050 |
| Median | $44,660 |
| Top 25% earn over | $62,740 |
| Top 10% earn over | $91,810 |
Photographer salary by state
The District of Columbia pays photographers the most; Arkansas the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($44,660), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 median |
| New York | $60,050 median |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 median |
| Oregon | $53,630 median |
| Utah | $52,140 median |
| Delaware | $50,100 median |
| Connecticut | $49,790 median |
| New Mexico | $48,090 median |
| Washington | $48,050 median |
| California | $47,840 median |
| Kentucky | $47,170 median |
| Colorado | $47,070 median |
| Maine | $46,680 median |
| Virginia | $46,550 median |
| Minnesota | $46,470 median |
| Maryland | $46,450 median |
| Hawaii | $45,960 median |
| Mississippi | $45,860 median |
| South Dakota | $45,330 median |
| New Hampshire | $44,780 median |
| Georgia | $43,770 median |
| Florida | $42,640 median |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 median |
| Nebraska | $41,920 median |
| Texas | $41,280 median |
| New Jersey | $40,520 median |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 median |
| Montana | $39,900 median |
| Wyoming | $39,330 median |
| Alaska | $39,190 median |
| Missouri | $39,170 median |
| Ohio | $38,470 median |
| Iowa | $38,290 median |
| Tennessee | $37,950 median |
| South Carolina | $37,890 median |
| Kansas | $37,790 median |
| Nevada | $37,460 median |
| North Dakota | $37,410 median |
| Rhode Island | $37,300 median |
| North Carolina | $37,120 median |
| Arizona | $36,970 median |
| Louisiana | $36,830 median |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 median |
| Illinois | $36,570 median |
| Alabama | $36,130 median |
| West Virginia | $36,110 median |
| Indiana | $35,960 median |
| Idaho | $33,320 median |
| Arkansas | $32,810 median |
Where photographer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Photographers' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $100,973 |
| New York | $55,643 |
| Massachusetts | $54,833 |
| Mississippi | $52,741 |
| Utah | $52,739 |
| Kentucky | $52,319 |
| New Mexico | $52,152 |
| Oregon | $51,886 |
| South Dakota | $51,171 |
| Delaware | $50,196 |
Photographer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | $53.35 | $46,080 | $148,360 | 260 | $100,973 |
| New York | $60,050 | $28.87 | $37,890 | $109,470 | 3,650 | $55,643 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | $27.88 | $38,480 | $112,760 | 830 | $54,833 |
| Oregon | $53,630 | $25.78 | $37,010 | $110,380 | 510 | $51,886 |
| Utah | $52,140 | $25.07 | $31,440 | $81,070 | 660 | $52,739 |
| Delaware | $50,100 | $24.09 | $32,980 | $71,170 | 180 | $50,196 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | $23.94 | $34,010 | $79,880 | 630 | $48,055 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 | $23.12 | $34,800 | $79,780 | 230 | $52,152 |
| Washington | $48,050 | $23.10 | $37,440 | $83,200 | 960 | $44,901 |
| California | $47,840 | $23.00 | $36,470 | $125,490 | 7,980 | $43,208 |
| Kentucky | $47,170 | $22.68 | $23,990 | $76,490 | 380 | $52,319 |
| Colorado | $47,070 | $22.63 | $36,440 | $92,200 | 1,140 | $45,676 |
| Maine | $46,680 | $22.44 | $33,270 | $79,230 | 180 | $48,099 |
| Virginia | $46,550 | $22.38 | $31,200 | $91,060 | 1,580 | $46,042 |
| Minnesota | $46,470 | $22.34 | $36,890 | $84,530 | 730 | $47,120 |
| Maryland | $46,450 | $22.33 | $31,200 | $93,660 | 790 | $44,255 |
| Hawaii | $45,960 | $22.10 | $30,800 | $105,820 | 440 | $41,800 |
| Mississippi | $45,860 | $22.05 | $24,030 | $65,370 | 190 | $52,741 |
| South Dakota | $45,330 | $21.79 | $31,150 | $54,750 | 190 | $51,171 |
| New Hampshire | $44,780 | $21.53 | $22,110 | $76,570 | 220 | $42,989 |
| Georgia | $43,770 | $21.04 | $22,690 | $103,550 | 1,420 | $45,455 |
| Florida | $42,640 | $20.50 | $29,990 | $80,400 | 4,390 | $41,232 |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 | $20.22 | $31,540 | $80,550 | 850 | $44,700 |
| Nebraska | $41,920 | $20.15 | $28,080 | $71,150 | 220 | $46,525 |
| Texas | $41,280 | $19.85 | $24,910 | $62,720 | 4,330 | $42,532 |
| New Jersey | $40,520 | $19.48 | $34,990 | $91,780 | 1,460 | $37,241 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 | $19.48 | $29,020 | $75,100 | 1,870 | $41,528 |
| Montana | $39,900 | $19.18 | $24,070 | $110,570 | 190 | $42,158 |
| Wyoming | $39,330 | $18.91 | $28,430 | $70,290 | 50 | $42,431 |
| Alaska | $39,190 | $18.84 | $34,040 | $101,430 | 50 | $38,287 |
| Missouri | $39,170 | $18.83 | $29,600 | $74,530 | 950 | $43,131 |
| Ohio | $38,470 | $18.50 | $23,670 | $80,990 | 1,540 | $41,466 |
| Iowa | $38,290 | $18.41 | $15,080 | $77,830 | 430 | $43,629 |
| Tennessee | $37,950 | $18.25 | $28,820 | $67,060 | 780 | $41,308 |
| South Carolina | $37,890 | $18.22 | $26,480 | $71,810 | 630 | $40,416 |
| Kansas | $37,790 | $18.17 | $29,340 | $72,380 | 300 | $41,957 |
| Nevada | $37,460 | $18.01 | $26,610 | $57,640 | 890 | $37,468 |
| North Dakota | $37,410 | $17.99 | $35,350 | $71,500 | 70 | $42,053 |
| Rhode Island | $37,300 | $17.93 | $34,600 | $76,810 | 220 | $36,469 |
| North Carolina | $37,120 | $17.85 | $28,330 | $76,060 | 2,130 | $39,353 |
| Arizona | $36,970 | $17.77 | $32,080 | $84,130 | 1,360 | $36,721 |
| Louisiana | $36,830 | $17.71 | $19,180 | $70,310 | 510 | $41,754 |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 | $17.67 | $17,210 | $63,370 | 330 | $41,836 |
| Illinois | $36,570 | $17.58 | $31,200 | $96,770 | 2,150 | $36,585 |
| Alabama | $36,130 | $17.37 | $24,590 | $72,550 | 530 | $40,676 |
| West Virginia | $36,110 | $17.36 | $29,130 | $57,510 | 110 | $40,348 |
| Indiana | $35,960 | $17.29 | $24,960 | $59,350 | 810 | $38,530 |
| Idaho | $33,320 | $16.02 | $22,470 | $53,790 | 190 | $34,892 |
| Arkansas | $32,810 | $15.77 | $24,890 | $43,950 | 240 | $37,740 |
BLS does not publish pay for photographers in 2 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Photographer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes photographer pay: 174 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Bend, OR $65,990
- Fort Collins, CO $62,550
- Boulder, CO $60,930
- Springfield, MA $60,430
- New York, NY $60,050
- Salt Lake City, UT $60,000
- Portland, OR $59,220
- San Francisco, CA $58,840
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $58,050
- Charleston, SC $56,890
Where the pay goes furthest
- Bend, OR $63,693
- Springfield, MA $62,908
- Fort Collins, CO $61,852
- Salt Lake City, UT $59,484
- Springfield, MO $59,276
- Montgomery, AL $58,161
- Boulder, CO $57,917
- Charleston, SC $56,348
- Portland, OR $56,175
- Bakersfield, CA $55,726
All 174 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $65,990 | 30 | $63,693 | 40% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $62,550 | 70 | $61,852 | 38% |
| Boulder, CO | $60,930 | 60 | $57,917 | 43% |
| Springfield, MA | $60,430 | 40 | $62,908 | 39% |
| New York, NY | $60,050 | 3,590 | $53,348 | 71% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $60,000 | 280 | $59,484 | 33% |
| Portland, OR | $59,220 | 350 | $56,175 | 37% |
| San Francisco, CA | $58,840 | 880 | $50,894 | 70% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | 150 | $53,051 | 47% |
| Charleston, SC | $56,890 | 100 | $56,348 | 43% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $56,220 | 60 | $55,726 | 39% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $55,220 | 60 | $50,755 | 71% |
| Boston, MA | $55,020 | 670 | $50,819 | 65% |
| Washington, DC | $54,530 | 1,060 | $50,081 | 53% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $54,260 | 160 | $50,775 | 64% |
| Springfield, MO | $52,510 | 80 | $59,276 | 29% |
| San Jose, CA | $52,470 | 210 | $47,517 | 87% |
| Montgomery, AL | $52,160 | 30 | $58,161 | 32% |
| Kahului, HI | $51,870 | 100 | $47,416 | 74% |
| Seattle, WA | $51,790 | 550 | $46,602 | 52% |
| Hartford, CT | $51,410 | 160 | $50,036 | 47% |
| New Haven, CT | $51,000 | 100 | $48,776 | 48% |
| Albany, NY | $50,940 | 130 | $51,162 | 40% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $50,670 | 40 | $51,303 | 46% |
| Manchester, NH | $50,620 | 40 | $47,910 | 51% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $50,500 | 60 | $46,853 | 63% |
| Worcester, MA | $50,170 | 60 | $48,935 | 50% |
| Providence, RI | $50,060 | 240 | $49,188 | 52% |
| Louisville, KY | $50,000 | 150 | $53,721 | 32% |
| Miami, FL | $49,980 | 1,470 | $43,783 | 64% |
| Naples, FL | $49,760 | 40 | $48,217 | 63% |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,560 | 80 | $51,764 | 39% |
| Savannah, GA | $49,110 | 70 | $51,583 | 43% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $48,790 | 40 | $44,928 | 69% |
| Atlanta, GA | $48,670 | 930 | $48,642 | 45% |
| Reno, NV | $48,670 | 80 | $48,181 | 51% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $48,090 | 100 | $50,332 | 37% |
| Pensacola, FL | $47,920 | 40 | $49,040 | 43% |
| Lakeland, FL | $47,870 | 40 | $49,279 | 45% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,840 | 4,290 | $42,125 | 73% |
| Portland, ME | $47,720 | 120 | $46,850 | 58% |
| Jackson, MS | $47,500 | 60 | $53,342 | 37% |
| Denver, CO | $47,340 | 620 | $44,752 | 48% |
| La Crosse, WI | $47,300 | 30 | $51,542 | 34% |
| Lexington, KY | $47,170 | 60 | $50,781 | 41% |
| Anchorage, AK | $47,040 | 40 | $44,622 | 48% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $46,960 | 520 | $44,800 | 44% |
| Norwich, CT | $46,880 | 70 | $46,672 | 54% |
| Stockton, CA | $46,620 | 40 | $44,362 | 63% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $46,540 | 380 | $46,781 | 43% |
| Waterbury, CT | $46,540 | 50 | $46,644 | – |
| Richmond, VA | $46,420 | 270 | $47,436 | 44% |
| Panama City, FL | $46,410 | 40 | $47,700 | 45% |
| Lansing, MI | $46,270 | 70 | $48,710 | 34% |
| Baltimore, MD | $46,170 | 480 | $44,187 | 50% |
| Sacramento, CA | $45,880 | 290 | $43,011 | 59% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $45,760 | 80 | $50,490 | 33% |
| Spokane, WA | $45,690 | 170 | $45,532 | 40% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $45,380 | 210 | $44,338 | 48% |
| Honolulu, HI | $45,300 | 280 | $40,825 | 80% |
| Omaha, NE | $45,160 | 100 | $49,134 | 37% |
| Slidell, LA | $45,040 | 30 | $48,573 | – |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $45,000 | 50 | $48,559 | 38% |
| Greensboro, NC | $44,990 | 180 | $48,447 | 38% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $44,940 | 300 | $46,360 | 41% |
| Hickory, NC | $44,840 | 30 | $50,675 | 43% |
| Tampa, FL | $44,530 | 450 | $44,137 | 54% |
| Nashville, TN | $44,480 | 240 | $46,171 | 49% |
| Waco, TX | $44,300 | 30 | $47,866 | 38% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,290 | 60 | $44,671 | 55% |
| Modesto, CA | $44,240 | 50 | $42,494 | 56% |
| Lubbock, TX | $44,230 | 40 | $48,436 | 36% |
| San Diego, CA | $44,030 | 620 | $39,352 | 81% |
| Bozeman, MT | $44,020 | 60 | $42,942 | 60% |
| Dallas, TX | $43,970 | 1,480 | $42,652 | 45% |
| Trenton, NJ | $43,940 | 40 | $42,586 | 69% |
| Oxnard, CA | $43,870 | 90 | $39,689 | 81% |
| Kansas City, MO | $43,750 | 280 | $47,275 | 42% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $43,750 | 950 | $42,660 | 52% |
| Riverside, CA | $43,710 | 460 | $41,065 | 70% |
| Olympia, WA | $43,550 | 40 | $42,008 | 56% |
| Tucson, AZ | $43,360 | 60 | $44,749 | 41% |
| Davenport, IA | $43,100 | 30 | $48,384 | 28% |
| Scranton, PA | $43,060 | 60 | $46,026 | 38% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $43,040 | 290 | $45,129 | 42% |
| Madison, WI | $43,040 | 160 | $44,240 | 50% |
| Vallejo, CA | $43,040 | 110 | $39,676 | 69% |
| Kingston, NY | $42,960 | 30 | $42,658 | 56% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $42,540 | 30 | $47,173 | 34% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 | $44,924 | 41% |
| Reading, PA | $42,430 | 40 | $43,715 | 44% |
| Rochester, NY | $42,260 | 120 | $43,551 | 44% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $42,210 | 210 | $43,097 | 54% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $42,110 | 120 | $41,814 | 50% |
| Cleveland, OH | $42,090 | 290 | $44,813 | 41% |
| Des Moines, IA | $42,080 | 170 | $45,888 | 37% |
| Greeley, CO | $42,020 | 40 | $41,946 | 48% |
| Beaumont, TX | $41,840 | 40 | $46,465 | 38% |
| Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 | $44,686 | 42% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $41,690 | 100 | $45,924 | 39% |
| Columbus, OH | $41,390 | 310 | $43,354 | 44% |
| Houston, TX | $41,280 | 800 | $41,854 | 48% |
| Raleigh, NC | $41,130 | 300 | $41,902 | 49% |
| Augusta, GA | $41,020 | 30 | $44,634 | 43% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $40,910 | 40 | $41,383 | 60% |
| North Port, FL | $40,580 | 130 | $39,622 | 62% |
| York, PA | $40,240 | 40 | $41,917 | 41% |
| Rapid City, SD | $39,780 | 30 | $44,616 | 44% |
| Greenville, SC | $39,730 | 120 | $42,601 | 47% |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,710 | 50 | $42,417 | 42% |
| Lincoln, NE | $39,540 | 50 | $43,175 | 39% |
| Deltona, FL | $39,260 | 50 | $39,510 | 54% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $39,200 | 150 | $43,359 | 42% |
| Buffalo, NY | $39,190 | 140 | $40,889 | 44% |
| St. Louis, MO | $39,170 | 420 | $41,193 | 44% |
| Austin, TX | $38,970 | 540 | $39,739 | 49% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 120 | $42,198 | 47% |
| Memphis, TN | $38,510 | 110 | $41,777 | 43% |
| Birmingham, AL | $38,390 | 130 | $41,890 | 44% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $38,320 | 80 | $38,318 | 59% |
| Fargo, ND | $38,210 | 50 | $42,049 | 35% |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,080 | 80 | $40,908 | 35% |
| Kennewick, WA | $38,010 | 30 | $37,980 | 54% |
| San Antonio, TX | $37,780 | 330 | $39,888 | 45% |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,690 | 80 | $39,089 | 56% |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,600 | 120 | $38,267 | 50% |
| Fresno, CA | $37,520 | 140 | $36,727 | 66% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,510 | 70 | $37,183 | 61% |
| Mobile, AL | $37,490 | 40 | $42,555 | 41% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,190 | 50 | $41,804 | 40% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $37,040 | 230 | $38,706 | 50% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $36,970 | 1,140 | $35,783 | 56% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,950 | 40 | $40,582 | 48% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 | $39,861 | 41% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $36,880 | 770 | $36,801 | 56% |
| Charlotte, NC | $36,810 | 690 | $37,813 | 57% |
| Chicago, IL | $36,810 | 1,590 | $35,533 | 71% |
| Dayton, OH | $36,790 | 130 | $39,690 | 43% |
| Durham, NC | $36,670 | 210 | $37,583 | 54% |
| El Paso, TX | $36,650 | 80 | $40,762 | 50% |
| Canton, OH | $36,580 | 60 | $40,914 | 37% |
| Billings, MT | $36,360 | 30 | $38,877 | 46% |
| Rockford, IL | $36,360 | 40 | $39,456 | 43% |
| Wichita, KS | $36,300 | 50 | $40,811 | 40% |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,240 | 100 | $39,149 | 57% |
| Provo, UT | $36,180 | 130 | $36,831 | 59% |
| Akron, OH | $36,100 | 80 | $38,663 | 43% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $36,090 | 60 | $36,008 | 77% |
| Columbia, SC | $36,060 | 120 | $38,500 | 52% |
| South Bend, IN | $35,920 | 40 | $38,683 | 42% |
| Toledo, OH | $35,810 | 80 | $39,156 | 42% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $35,630 | 70 | $39,003 | 53% |
| Little Rock, AR | $35,610 | 90 | $39,848 | 42% |
| Gainesville, FL | $35,550 | 30 | $36,751 | 55% |
| Peoria, IL | $35,510 | 50 | $38,923 | 39% |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 50 | $38,699 | 37% |
| Crestview, FL | $35,410 | 50 | $36,493 | 67% |
| Allentown, PA | $35,400 | 170 | $35,411 | 62% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $35,380 | 80 | $35,864 | 50% |
| Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 160 | $36,392 | 58% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,950 | 70 | $37,323 | 59% |
| Orlando, FL | $34,860 | 980 | $34,373 | 66% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,560 | 30 | $37,574 | 50% |
| Tyler, TX | $34,130 | 50 | $37,035 | 46% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $34,010 | 40 | $33,900 | 75% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $34,010 | 100 | $36,212 | 52% |
| Ogden, UT | $33,860 | 150 | $33,742 | 58% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $33,600 | 50 | $36,736 | 54% |
| Boise, ID | $33,320 | 130 | $33,865 | 69% |
| Killeen, TX | $32,780 | – | $35,970 | 48% |
| Huntsville, AL | $31,200 | 90 | $33,522 | 53% |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,450 | 50 | $34,916 | 55% |
| McAllen, TX | $28,110 | 70 | $32,726 | 48% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | – | $28,148 | 60% |
What the median photographer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $44,660 |
| Month | $3,722 |
| Every two weeks | $1,718 |
| Week | $859 |
| Hour | $21.47 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a photographer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 10,700 |
| Self-employed | 66.7% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Interior designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree |
| Graphic designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Journalist | $62,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| Court reporter | $72,420 | Postsecondary certificate |
Questions about photographer pay
How much does a photographer make an hour?
The median is $21.47 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $14.82 and the top 10% over $44.14.
How much does a photographer make a month?
About $3,722 a month before taxes at the median salary of $44,660, or $1,718 every two weeks.
What state pays photographers the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $110,970. New York ($60,050), Massachusetts ($57,990), Oregon ($53,630) and Utah ($52,140) follow.
Where do photographers make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $110,970 is worth $100,973 at typical US prices. New York, Massachusetts and Mississippi come next.
How much do entry-level photographers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of photographers earn under $30,820 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $36,050, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a photographer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 27-4021 (Photographers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.