Media & Communications Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

Photographer Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median photographer salary in Seattle, WA is $59,496 per year, which is 48.0% above the national median and 28.7% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$59,496
vs State Avg
+$13,266
vs National
+$19,296
Cost of Living
148%

Photographer Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level photographer earns around $38,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $111,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,480
+$12,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$62,160
+$20,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$111,000
+$36,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $35,520
25th Percentile $44,400
Median (50th) $59,496
75th Percentile $85,840
90th Percentile $121,360

Photographer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$61,104
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$44,220
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$41,004
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$36,984
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Photographer in Seattle

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Seattle

Browse open photographer positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Seattle

How much does a Photographer make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Seattle, Washington is $59,496 per year, which is 48.0% above the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $35,520 (10th percentile) to $121,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $59,496, a photographer in Seattle earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for photographer pay? ▼
Seattle's median photographer salary of $59,496 is 28.7% above the Washington state average of $46,230. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $59,496 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Seattle? ▼
Most photographer positions in Seattle 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.