Media & Communications Hilo, HI Pop. 45,703

Photographer Salary in Hilo, Hawaii

The median photographer salary in Hilo, HI is $61,104 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 10.6% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$61,104
vs State Avg
$-7,236
vs National
+$20,904
Cost of Living
152%

Photographer Pay in Hilo: What to Expect (2026)

Hilo offers a median photographer salary of $61,104, which is $7,236 below the Hawaii state average of $68,340. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Hilo pays above average for this role.

However, Hilo's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $61,104 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $40,200. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Hilo should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for photographers in Hilo spans from $36,480 at the 10th percentile to $124,640 at the 90th percentile — a $88,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,520, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,000. Hilo is a smaller market (pop. 45,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Hilo by Experience

In Hilo, an entry-level photographer earns around $39,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,520
+$13,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,840
+$21,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,000
+$39,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hilo, HI

Percentile Hilo
10th Percentile $36,480
25th Percentile $45,600
Median (50th) $61,104
75th Percentile $88,160
90th Percentile $124,640

Photographer Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

Honolulu, HI
$70,350
Pop. 350,964
Kailua, HI
$68,340
Pop. 38,635
Pearl City, HI
$67,536
Pop. 47,698
Waipahu, HI
$65,124
Pop. 38,216

How to Become a Photographer in Hilo

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Hilo

Browse open photographer positions in Hilo, HI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Hilo

How much does a Photographer make in Hilo, HI? ▼
The median photographer salary in Hilo, Hawaii is $61,104 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $36,480 (10th percentile) to $124,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Hilo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,104, a photographer in Hilo earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hilo compare to the Hawaii state average for photographer pay? ▼
Hilo's median photographer salary of $61,104 is 10.6% below the Hawaii state average of $68,340. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI? ▼
Hilo has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $61,104 in Hilo has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Hilo? ▼
Most photographer positions in Hilo 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.