Media & Communications Springfield, MO Pop. 169,176

Photographer Salary in Springfield, Missouri

The median photographer salary in Springfield, MO is $32,964 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 6.8% below the Missouri state average.

City Median
$32,964
vs State Avg
$-2,412
vs National
$-7,236
Cost of Living
82%

Photographer Pay in Springfield: What to Expect (2026)

Springfield offers a median photographer salary of $32,964, which is $2,412 below the Missouri state average of $35,376. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Springfield pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Springfield's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $32,964 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Springfield an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Springfield spans from $19,680 at the 10th percentile to $67,240 at the 90th percentile — a $47,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $21,320, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $61,500. With a population of 169,176, Springfield is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in Springfield by Experience

In Springfield, an entry-level photographer earns around $21,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $61,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$21,320
$-4,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$34,440
$-7,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$61,500
$-13,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Springfield, MO

Percentile Springfield
10th Percentile $19,680
25th Percentile $24,600
Median (50th) $32,964
75th Percentile $47,560
90th Percentile $67,240

Photographer Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO
$36,984
Pop. 508,090
Saint Louis, MO
$36,180
Pop. 301,578
Columbia, MO
$35,376
Pop. 126,254
Independence, MO
$34,170
Pop. 123,011

How to Become a Photographer in Springfield

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Springfield

Browse open photographer positions in Springfield, MO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Springfield

How much does a Photographer make in Springfield, MO? ▼
The median photographer salary in Springfield, Missouri is $32,964 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $19,680 (10th percentile) to $67,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Springfield? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,964, a photographer in Springfield earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Springfield compare to the Missouri state average for photographer pay? ▼
Springfield's median photographer salary of $32,964 is 6.8% below the Missouri state average of $35,376. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Springfield, MO? ▼
Springfield has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $32,964 in Springfield has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Springfield? ▼
Most photographer positions in Springfield 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.