Media & Communications Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Photographer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median photographer salary in Columbia, SC is $36,180 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$36,180
vs State Avg
+$402
vs National
$-4,020
Cost of Living
90%

Photographer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level photographer earns around $23,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $67,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,400
$-2,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$37,800
$-4,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$67,500
$-7,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $21,600
25th Percentile $27,000
Median (50th) $36,180
75th Percentile $52,200
90th Percentile $73,800

Photographer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$42,210
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$40,200
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$38,190
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$36,984
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Photographer in Columbia

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open photographer positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Photographer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median photographer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $36,180 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $21,600 (10th percentile) to $73,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,180, a photographer in Columbia earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for photographer pay? ▼
Columbia's median photographer salary of $36,180 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $35,778. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $36,180 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Columbia? ▼
Most photographer positions in Columbia 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.