Media & Communications San Antonio, TX Pop. 1,434,625

Photographer Salary in San Antonio, Texas

The median photographer salary in San Antonio, TX is $35,376 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Texas state average.

City Median
$35,376
vs State Avg
$-1,608
vs National
$-4,824
Cost of Living
88%

Photographer Pay in San Antonio: What to Expect (2026)

San Antonio offers a median photographer salary of $35,376, which is $1,608 below the Texas state average of $36,984. Compared to the national median of $40,200, San Antonio pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of San Antonio's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $35,376 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes San Antonio an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in San Antonio spans from $21,120 at the 10th percentile to $72,160 at the 90th percentile — a $51,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,880, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $66,000. As a major metro area with a population of 1,434,625, San Antonio typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Photographer Salary in San Antonio by Experience

In San Antonio, an entry-level photographer earns around $22,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $66,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,880
$-3,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,960
$-5,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$66,000
$-9,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Antonio, TX

Percentile San Antonio
10th Percentile $21,120
25th Percentile $26,400
Median (50th) $35,376
75th Percentile $51,040
90th Percentile $72,160

Photographer Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$42,210
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$40,200
Pop. 1,304,379
Houston, TX
$38,592
Pop. 2,304,580
Fort Worth, TX
$36,984
Pop. 918,915

How to Become a Photographer in San Antonio

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in San Antonio

Browse open photographer positions in San Antonio, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in San Antonio

How much does a Photographer make in San Antonio, TX? ▼
The median photographer salary in San Antonio, Texas is $35,376 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $21,120 (10th percentile) to $72,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in San Antonio? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $35,376, a photographer in San Antonio earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Antonio compare to the Texas state average for photographer pay? ▼
San Antonio's median photographer salary of $35,376 is 4.3% below the Texas state average of $36,984. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Antonio, TX? ▼
San Antonio has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $35,376 in San Antonio has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in San Antonio? ▼
Most photographer positions in San Antonio 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.