Media & Communications Erie, PA Pop. 94,831

Photographer Salary in Erie, Pennsylvania

The median photographer salary in Erie, PA is $33,768 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 12.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$33,768
vs State Avg
$-4,824
vs National
$-6,432
Cost of Living
84%

Photographer Pay in Erie: What to Expect (2026)

Erie offers a median photographer salary of $33,768, which is $4,824 below the Pennsylvania state average of $38,592. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Erie pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Erie's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $33,768 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Erie an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Erie spans from $20,160 at the 10th percentile to $68,880 at the 90th percentile — a $48,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $21,840, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,000. Erie is a smaller market (pop. 94,831), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Erie by Experience

In Erie, an entry-level photographer earns around $21,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$21,840
$-4,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$35,280
$-6,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,000
$-12,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Erie, PA

Percentile Erie
10th Percentile $20,160
25th Percentile $25,200
Median (50th) $33,768
75th Percentile $48,720
90th Percentile $68,880

Photographer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$41,004
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$37,788
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$37,386
Pop. 302,971
Reading, PA
$35,376
Pop. 95,112

How to Become a Photographer in Erie

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Erie

Browse open photographer positions in Erie, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Erie

How much does a Photographer make in Erie, PA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Erie, Pennsylvania is $33,768 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $20,160 (10th percentile) to $68,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Erie? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $33,768, a photographer in Erie earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Erie compare to the Pennsylvania state average for photographer pay? ▼
Erie's median photographer salary of $33,768 is 12.5% below the Pennsylvania state average of $38,592. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Erie, PA? ▼
Erie has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $33,768 in Erie has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Erie? ▼
Most photographer positions in Erie 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.