Media & Communications Auburn, ME Pop. 23,926

Photographer Salary in Auburn, Maine

The median photographer salary in Auburn, ME is $35,778 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 9.2% below the Maine state average.

City Median
$35,778
vs State Avg
$-3,618
vs National
$-4,422
Cost of Living
89%

Photographer Pay in Auburn: What to Expect (2026)

Auburn offers a median photographer salary of $35,778, which is $3,618 below the Maine state average of $39,396. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Auburn pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Auburn's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 89% of the national average. This means the $35,778 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Auburn an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Auburn spans from $21,360 at the 10th percentile to $72,980 at the 90th percentile — a $51,620 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $23,140, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $66,750. Auburn is a smaller market (pop. 23,926), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Auburn by Experience

In Auburn, an entry-level photographer earns around $23,140, while experienced professionals earn up to $66,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 89% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,140
$-2,860 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$37,380
$-4,620 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$66,750
$-8,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Auburn, ME

Percentile Auburn
10th Percentile $21,360
25th Percentile $26,700
Median (50th) $35,778
75th Percentile $51,620
90th Percentile $72,980

Photographer Salary in Other Maine Cities

Portland, ME
$43,416
Pop. 68,408
South Portland, ME
$42,210
Pop. 25,665
Bangor, ME
$36,984
Pop. 32,029
Lewiston, ME
$36,180
Pop. 37,121

How to Become a Photographer in Auburn

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Auburn

Browse open photographer positions in Auburn, ME:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Auburn

How much does a Photographer make in Auburn, ME? ▼
The median photographer salary in Auburn, Maine is $35,778 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $21,360 (10th percentile) to $72,980 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Auburn? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $35,778, a photographer in Auburn earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Auburn compare to the Maine state average for photographer pay? ▼
Auburn's median photographer salary of $35,778 is 9.2% below the Maine state average of $39,396. The local cost of living index is 89% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Auburn, ME? ▼
Auburn has a cost of living index of 89% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $35,778 in Auburn has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Auburn? ▼
Most photographer positions in Auburn 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.