Media & Communications Salt Lake City, UT Pop. 200,133

Photographer Salary in Salt Lake City, Utah

The median photographer salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $41,004 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 5.2% above the Utah state average.

City Median
$41,004
vs State Avg
+$2,010
vs National
+$804
Cost of Living
102%

Photographer Pay in Salt Lake City: What to Expect (2026)

Salt Lake City offers a median photographer salary of $41,004, which is $2,010 above the Utah state average of $38,994. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Salt Lake City pays above average for this role.

Salt Lake City's cost of living is 102% 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 Salt Lake City spans from $24,480 at the 10th percentile to $83,640 at the 90th percentile — a $59,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,520, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $76,500. With a population of 200,133, Salt Lake City is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in Salt Lake City by Experience

In Salt Lake City, an entry-level photographer earns around $26,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $76,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,520
+$520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,840
+$840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$76,500
+$1,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Salt Lake City, UT

Percentile Salt Lake City
10th Percentile $24,480
25th Percentile $30,600
Median (50th) $41,004
75th Percentile $59,160
90th Percentile $83,640

Photographer Salary in Other Utah Cities

Provo, UT
$38,592
Pop. 115,162
West Jordan, UT
$38,592
Pop. 116,961
Orem, UT
$38,190
Pop. 97,499
West Valley City, UT
$37,788
Pop. 140,230

How to Become a Photographer in Salt Lake City

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Salt Lake City and the surrounding Utah 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 Salt Lake City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in Salt Lake City

Browse open photographer positions in Salt Lake City, UT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Salt Lake City

How much does a Photographer make in Salt Lake City, UT? ▼
The median photographer salary in Salt Lake City, Utah is $41,004 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $24,480 (10th percentile) to $83,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Salt Lake City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,004, a photographer in Salt Lake City earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Salt Lake City compare to the Utah state average for photographer pay? ▼
Salt Lake City's median photographer salary of $41,004 is 5.2% above the Utah state average of $38,994. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Salt Lake City, UT? ▼
Salt Lake City has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $41,004 in Salt Lake City has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Salt Lake City? ▼
Most photographer positions in Salt Lake 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.