Media & Communications San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Photographer Salary in San Diego, California

The median photographer salary in San Diego, CA is $57,084 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$57,084
vs State Avg
+$1,608
vs National
+$16,884
Cost of Living
142%

Photographer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level photographer earns around $36,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $106,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,920
+$10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$59,640
+$17,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$106,500
+$31,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $34,080
25th Percentile $42,600
Median (50th) $57,084
75th Percentile $82,360
90th Percentile $116,440

Photographer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$73,164
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$67,536
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$58,692
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$47,436
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Photographer in San Diego

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. San Diego 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 San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in San Diego

Browse open photographer positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in San Diego

How much does a Photographer make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median photographer salary in San Diego, California is $57,084 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $34,080 (10th percentile) to $116,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $57,084, a photographer in San Diego earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for photographer pay? ▼
San Diego's median photographer salary of $57,084 is 2.9% above the California state average of $55,476. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $57,084 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in San Diego? ▼
Most photographer positions in San Diego 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.