Media & Communications New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Photographer Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median photographer salary in New Orleans, LA is $39,396 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$39,396
vs State Avg
+$2,814
vs National
$-804
Cost of Living
98%

Photographer Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median photographer salary of $39,396, which is $2,814 above the Louisiana state average of $36,582. Compared to the national median of $40,200, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for photographers in New Orleans spans from $23,520 at the 10th percentile to $80,360 at the 90th percentile — a $56,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,480, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,500. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level photographer earns around $25,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,480
$-520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$41,160
$-840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,500
$-1,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $23,520
25th Percentile $29,400
Median (50th) $39,396
75th Percentile $56,840
90th Percentile $80,360

Photographer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$36,984
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$35,376
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$34,572
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$34,170
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Photographer in New Orleans

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open photographer positions in New Orleans, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Photographer make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median photographer salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $39,396 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $23,520 (10th percentile) to $80,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,396, a photographer in New Orleans earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for photographer pay? ▼
New Orleans's median photographer salary of $39,396 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $36,582. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $39,396 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in New Orleans? ▼
Most photographer positions in New Orleans 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.