Media & Communications Morgantown, WV Pop. 30,955

Photographer Salary in Morgantown, West Virginia

The median photographer salary in Morgantown, WV is $36,180 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 7.1% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$36,180
vs State Avg
+$2,412
vs National
$-4,020
Cost of Living
90%

Photographer Pay in Morgantown: What to Expect (2026)

Morgantown offers a median photographer salary of $36,180, which is $2,412 above the West Virginia state average of $33,768. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Morgantown pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Morgantown's cost of living is 90% 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 Morgantown spans from $21,600 at the 10th percentile to $73,800 at the 90th percentile — a $52,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $23,400, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $67,500. Morgantown is a smaller market (pop. 30,955), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Morgantown by Experience

In Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, WV

Percentile Morgantown
10th Percentile $21,600
25th Percentile $27,000
Median (50th) $36,180
75th Percentile $52,200
90th Percentile $73,800

Photographer Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Charleston, WV
$35,376
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$32,964
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$32,160
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$31,356
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Photographer in Morgantown

Education

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

Find Photographer Jobs in Morgantown

Browse open photographer positions in Morgantown, WV:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Morgantown

How much does a Photographer make in Morgantown, WV? ▼
The median photographer salary in Morgantown, West Virginia 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 Morgantown? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,180, a photographer in Morgantown earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Morgantown compare to the West Virginia state average for photographer pay? ▼
Morgantown's median photographer salary of $36,180 is 7.1% above the West Virginia state average of $33,768. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Morgantown, WV? ▼
Morgantown has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $36,180 in Morgantown has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Morgantown? ▼
Most photographer positions in Morgantown 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.