Media & Communications Montgomery, AL Pop. 200,603

Photographer Salary in Montgomery, Alabama

The median photographer salary in Montgomery, AL is $34,572 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 1.1% below the Alabama state average.

City Median
$34,572
vs State Avg
$-402
vs National
$-5,628
Cost of Living
86%

Photographer Pay in Montgomery: What to Expect (2026)

Montgomery offers a median photographer salary of $34,572, which is $402 below the Alabama state average of $34,974. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Montgomery pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Montgomery's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $34,572 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Montgomery an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Montgomery spans from $20,640 at the 10th percentile to $70,520 at the 90th percentile — a $49,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,360, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $64,500. With a population of 200,603, Montgomery is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in Montgomery by Experience

In Montgomery, an entry-level photographer earns around $22,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $64,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,360
$-3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$64,500
$-10,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Montgomery, AL

Percentile Montgomery
10th Percentile $20,640
25th Percentile $25,800
Median (50th) $34,572
75th Percentile $49,880
90th Percentile $70,520

Photographer Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$36,984
Pop. 216,963
Birmingham, AL
$36,180
Pop. 197,575
Tuscaloosa, AL
$35,376
Pop. 101,129
Mobile, AL
$34,170
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Photographer in Montgomery

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Montgomery and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PhotographyLightroom/PhotoshopLightingCompositionPhoto EditingClient Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, photographer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Montgomery may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in Montgomery

Browse open photographer positions in Montgomery, AL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Montgomery

How much does a Photographer make in Montgomery, AL? ▼
The median photographer salary in Montgomery, Alabama is $34,572 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $20,640 (10th percentile) to $70,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Montgomery? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,572, a photographer in Montgomery earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Montgomery compare to the Alabama state average for photographer pay? ▼
Montgomery's median photographer salary of $34,572 is 1.1% below the Alabama state average of $34,974. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Montgomery, AL? ▼
Montgomery has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $34,572 in Montgomery has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Montgomery? ▼
Most photographer positions in Montgomery require a high school diploma. Key skills include Photography, Lightroom/Photoshop, Lighting, Composition. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.