Media & Communications Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Photographer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median photographer salary in Lafayette, LA is $35,376 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$35,376
vs State Avg
$-1,206
vs National
$-4,824
Cost of Living
88%

Photographer Pay in Lafayette: What to Expect (2026)

Lafayette offers a median photographer salary of $35,376, which is $1,206 below the Louisiana state average of $36,582. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $35,376 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Lafayette spans from $21,120 at the 10th percentile to $72,160 at the 90th percentile — a $51,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,880, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $66,000. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level photographer earns around $22,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $66,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,880
$-3,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,960
$-5,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$66,000
$-9,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $21,120
25th Percentile $26,400
Median (50th) $35,376
75th Percentile $51,040
90th Percentile $72,160

Photographer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$39,396
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$36,984
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$34,572
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$34,170
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Photographer in Lafayette

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open photographer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Photographer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $35,376 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $21,120 (10th percentile) to $72,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $35,376, a photographer in Lafayette earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for photographer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median photographer salary of $35,376 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $36,582. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $35,376 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Lafayette? ▼
Most photographer positions in Lafayette 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.