Media & Communications
Photographer Salary
Photographers capture images for commercial, editorial, portrait, and artistic purposes.
Median Salary
$40,200
Mean Salary
$48,900
Total Employed
68,400
Job Growth
+4%
Photographer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level photographers earn around $26,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $42,000. Senior-level photographers can earn $75,000 or more.
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,000 Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,000 Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,000 Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for photographers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $24,000, while the top 10% earn $82,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $40,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 |
Photographer Salary by State
Photographer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $68,340, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $33,366.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $68,340 | Details → |
| #2 California | $55,476 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $54,270 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $49,848 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $49,044 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $46,230 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $46,230 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $45,024 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $44,220 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $44,220 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $42,210 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $42,210 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $42,210 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $41,808 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $40,602 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $40,602 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $39,396 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $39,396 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $38,994 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $38,994 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $38,994 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $38,994 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $38,592 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $38,190 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $38,190 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $37,788 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $37,386 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $37,386 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $36,984 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $36,984 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $36,984 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $36,984 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $36,582 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $36,180 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $36,180 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $36,180 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $36,180 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $36,180 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $35,778 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $35,778 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $35,778 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $35,376 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $35,376 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $34,974 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $34,974 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $34,974 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $34,572 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $33,768 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $33,768 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $33,366 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Photograph subjects professionally
- ● Edit images in Lightroom/Photoshop
- ● Set up lighting and props
- ● Meet with clients on requirements
- ● Maintain digital photo archives
Top Skills
Photography Lightroom/Photoshop Lighting Composition Photo Editing Client Management
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade
Find Photographer Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions About Photographer Salaries
How much does a Photographer make per year? ▼
The median photographer salary in the United States is $40,200 per year. Entry-level positions start around $26,000, while senior-level professionals earn up to $75,000 annually. The mean (average) salary is $48,900.
How much does a Photographer make per hour? ▼
Based on the national median salary of $40,200 per year, a photographer earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by experience, location, and employer.
What is the highest paying state for photographers? ▼
Hawaii is the highest paying state for photographers, with a median salary of $68,340. Other top-paying states include California ($55,476) and Massachusetts ($54,270).
What education do you need to become a photographer? ▼
Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Key skills include Photography, Lightroom/Photoshop, Lighting, Composition. Relevant certifications and hands-on experience can also strengthen your qualifications.
What is the job outlook for photographers? ▼
Employment for photographers is projected to grow 4% over the next decade, which is as fast as average. There are currently 68,400 photographers employed in the United States.
How much does an entry-level photographer make? ▼
An entry-level photographer with 0-2 years of experience earns around $26,000 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to approximately $42,000. The bottom 10% of earners make $24,000, while the top 10% earn $82,000.