Media & Communications Greenville, SC Pop. 72,095

Photographer Salary in Greenville, South Carolina

The median photographer salary in Greenville, SC is $36,984 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$36,984
vs State Avg
+$1,206
vs National
$-3,216
Cost of Living
92%

Photographer Pay in Greenville: What to Expect (2026)

Greenville offers a median photographer salary of $36,984, which is $1,206 above the South Carolina state average of $35,778. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Greenville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Greenville's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for photographers in Greenville spans from $22,080 at the 10th percentile to $75,440 at the 90th percentile — a $53,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $23,920, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $69,000. Greenville is a smaller market (pop. 72,095), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Greenville by Experience

In Greenville, an entry-level photographer earns around $23,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $69,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,920
$-2,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,640
$-3,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$69,000
$-6,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Greenville, SC

Percentile Greenville
10th Percentile $22,080
25th Percentile $27,600
Median (50th) $36,984
75th Percentile $53,360
90th Percentile $75,440

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
Columbia, SC
$36,180
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Photographer in Greenville

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Greenville

Browse open photographer positions in Greenville, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Greenville

How much does a Photographer make in Greenville, SC? ▼
The median photographer salary in Greenville, South Carolina is $36,984 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $22,080 (10th percentile) to $75,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Greenville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,984, a photographer in Greenville earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Greenville compare to the South Carolina state average for photographer pay? ▼
Greenville's median photographer salary of $36,984 is 3.4% above the South Carolina state average of $35,778. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Greenville, SC? ▼
Greenville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $36,984 in Greenville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Greenville? ▼
Most photographer positions in Greenville 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.