Media & Communications Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Photographer Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median photographer salary in Great Falls, MT is $35,376 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$35,376
vs State Avg
$-2,814
vs National
$-4,824
Cost of Living
88%

Photographer Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median photographer salary of $35,376, which is $2,814 below the Montana state average of $38,190. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls'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 Great Falls an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Great Falls 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. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT

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

Photographer Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$46,230
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$41,004
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$38,592
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$37,788
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Photographer in Great Falls

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open photographer positions in Great Falls, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Photographer make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median photographer salary in Great Falls, Montana 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 Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $35,376, a photographer in Great Falls earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for photographer pay? ▼
Great Falls's median photographer salary of $35,376 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $38,190. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $35,376 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Great Falls? ▼
Most photographer positions in Great Falls 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.