Media & Communications San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Photographer Salary in San Francisco, California

The median photographer salary in San Francisco, CA is $73,164 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$73,164
vs State Avg
+$17,688
vs National
+$32,964
Cost of Living
182%

Photographer Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level photographer earns around $47,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,320
+$21,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$76,440
+$34,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$136,500
+$61,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $43,680
25th Percentile $54,600
Median (50th) $73,164
75th Percentile $105,560
90th Percentile $149,240

Photographer Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$67,536
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$58,692
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$57,084
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$47,436
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Photographer in San Francisco

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open photographer positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Photographer make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median photographer salary in San Francisco, California is $73,164 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $43,680 (10th percentile) to $149,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $73,164, a photographer in San Francisco earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for photographer pay? ▼
San Francisco's median photographer salary of $73,164 is 31.9% above the California state average of $55,476. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $73,164 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in San Francisco? ▼
Most photographer positions in San Francisco 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.