Media & Communications Los Angeles, CA Pop. 3,898,747

Photographer Salary in Los Angeles, California

The median photographer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $58,692 per year, which is 46.0% above the national median and 5.8% above the California state average.

City Median
$58,692
vs State Avg
+$3,216
vs National
+$18,492
Cost of Living
146%

Photographer Salary in Los Angeles by Experience

In Los Angeles, an entry-level photographer earns around $37,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $109,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 146% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$37,960
+$11,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$61,320
+$19,320 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$109,500
+$34,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Los Angeles, CA

Percentile Los Angeles
10th Percentile $35,040
25th Percentile $43,800
Median (50th) $58,692
75th Percentile $84,680
90th Percentile $119,720

Photographer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$73,164
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$67,536
Pop. 1,013,240
San Diego, CA
$57,084
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$47,436
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Photographer in Los Angeles

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Los Angeles and the surrounding California 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 Los Angeles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in Los Angeles

Browse open photographer positions in Los Angeles, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Los Angeles

How much does a Photographer make in Los Angeles, CA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Los Angeles, California is $58,692 per year, which is 46.0% above the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $35,040 (10th percentile) to $119,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Los Angeles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,692, a photographer in Los Angeles earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Los Angeles compare to the California state average for photographer pay? ▼
Los Angeles's median photographer salary of $58,692 is 5.8% above the California state average of $55,476. The local cost of living index is 146% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Los Angeles, CA? ▼
Los Angeles has a cost of living index of 146% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $58,692 in Los Angeles has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Los Angeles? ▼
Most photographer positions in Los Angeles 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.