Media & Communications Springfield, IL Pop. 114,394

Photographer Salary in Springfield, Illinois

The median photographer salary in Springfield, IL is $34,170 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 10.5% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$34,170
vs State Avg
$-4,020
vs National
$-6,030
Cost of Living
85%

Photographer Pay in Springfield: What to Expect (2026)

Springfield offers a median photographer salary of $34,170, which is $4,020 below the Illinois state average of $38,190. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Springfield pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Springfield's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 85% of the national average. This means the $34,170 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Springfield an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Springfield spans from $20,400 at the 10th percentile to $69,700 at the 90th percentile — a $49,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,100, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,750. With a population of 114,394, Springfield is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in Springfield by Experience

In Springfield, an entry-level photographer earns around $22,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,100
$-3,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$35,700
$-6,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,750
$-11,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Springfield, IL

Percentile Springfield
10th Percentile $20,400
25th Percentile $25,500
Median (50th) $34,170
75th Percentile $49,300
90th Percentile $69,700

Photographer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$43,416
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$43,014
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$38,190
Pop. 197,757
Rockford, IL
$32,964
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Photographer in Springfield

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Springfield

Browse open photographer positions in Springfield, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Springfield

How much does a Photographer make in Springfield, IL? ▼
The median photographer salary in Springfield, Illinois is $34,170 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $20,400 (10th percentile) to $69,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Springfield? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,170, a photographer in Springfield earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Springfield compare to the Illinois state average for photographer pay? ▼
Springfield's median photographer salary of $34,170 is 10.5% below the Illinois state average of $38,190. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Springfield, IL? ▼
Springfield has a cost of living index of 85% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $34,170 in Springfield has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Springfield? ▼
Most photographer positions in Springfield 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.