Media & Communications Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Photographer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median photographer salary in Rapid City, SD is $36,180 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$36,180
vs State Avg
+$804
vs National
$-4,020
Cost of Living
90%

Photographer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, 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 Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
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 Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$36,984
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$34,572
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$33,768
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$32,964
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Photographer in Rapid City

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open photographer positions in Rapid City, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Photographer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median photographer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota 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 Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,180, a photographer in Rapid City earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for photographer pay? ▼
Rapid City's median photographer salary of $36,180 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $35,376. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD? ▼
Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $36,180 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Rapid City? ▼
Most photographer positions in Rapid City 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.