Media & Communications Hattiesburg, MS Pop. 48,728

Photographer Salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

The median photographer salary in Hattiesburg, MS is $32,160 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 3.6% below the Mississippi state average.

City Median
$32,160
vs State Avg
$-1,206
vs National
$-8,040
Cost of Living
80%

Photographer Pay in Hattiesburg: What to Expect (2026)

Hattiesburg offers a median photographer salary of $32,160, which is $1,206 below the Mississippi state average of $33,366. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Hattiesburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Hattiesburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $32,160 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Hattiesburg an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Hattiesburg spans from $19,200 at the 10th percentile to $65,600 at the 90th percentile — a $46,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $20,800, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $60,000. Hattiesburg is a smaller market (pop. 48,728), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Hattiesburg by Experience

In Hattiesburg, an entry-level photographer earns around $20,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $60,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$20,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,600
$-8,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$60,000
$-15,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hattiesburg, MS

Percentile Hattiesburg
10th Percentile $19,200
25th Percentile $24,000
Median (50th) $32,160
75th Percentile $46,400
90th Percentile $65,600

Photographer Salary in Other Mississippi Cities

Jackson, MS
$34,170
Pop. 153,701
Southaven, MS
$33,768
Pop. 55,026
Biloxi, MS
$33,366
Pop. 46,212
Gulfport, MS
$32,964
Pop. 72,926

How to Become a Photographer in Hattiesburg

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Hattiesburg

Browse open photographer positions in Hattiesburg, MS:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Hattiesburg

How much does a Photographer make in Hattiesburg, MS? ▼
The median photographer salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is $32,160 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $19,200 (10th percentile) to $65,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Hattiesburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,160, a photographer in Hattiesburg earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hattiesburg compare to the Mississippi state average for photographer pay? ▼
Hattiesburg's median photographer salary of $32,160 is 3.6% below the Mississippi state average of $33,366. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hattiesburg, MS? ▼
Hattiesburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $32,160 in Hattiesburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Hattiesburg? ▼
Most photographer positions in Hattiesburg 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.