Media & Communications Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Photographer Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median photographer salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $37,386 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$37,386
vs State Avg
$-1,206
vs National
$-2,814
Cost of Living
93%

Photographer Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level photographer earns around $24,180, while experienced professionals earn up to $69,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$24,180
$-1,820 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$39,060
$-2,940 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$69,750
$-5,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $22,320
25th Percentile $27,900
Median (50th) $37,386
75th Percentile $53,940
90th Percentile $76,260

Photographer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$41,004
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$37,788
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$35,376
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$33,768
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Photographer in Pittsburgh

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open photographer positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Photographer make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $37,386 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $22,320 (10th percentile) to $76,260 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,386, a photographer in Pittsburgh earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for photographer pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median photographer salary of $37,386 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $38,592. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $37,386 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most photographer positions in Pittsburgh 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.