Media & Communications Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Photographer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median photographer salary in Des Moines, IA is $36,984 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$36,984
vs State Avg
+$1,206
vs National
$-3,216
Cost of Living
92%

Photographer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level photographer earns around $23,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $69,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,920
$-2,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,640
$-3,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$69,000
$-6,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $22,080
25th Percentile $27,600
Median (50th) $36,984
75th Percentile $53,360
90th Percentile $75,440

Photographer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$38,190
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$35,376
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$34,572
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$33,768
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Photographer in Des Moines

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open photographer positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Photographer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $36,984 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $22,080 (10th percentile) to $75,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,984, a photographer in Des Moines earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for photographer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median photographer salary of $36,984 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $35,778. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $36,984 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Des Moines? ▼
Most photographer positions in Des Moines 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.