Photographers Salary in Anchorage, AK
The median pay for a photographers in Anchorage, AK is $37,610/year ($18.08/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $52K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $35,676 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,376/month — about 50.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $38K get you in Anchorage?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Anchorage’s Regional Price Parity (105.42). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Anchorage, AK
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K. Top earners bring in $52K or more, a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Photographers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111K | +160% | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $61K | +43% | 1,170 |
| New York | $58K | +36% | 3,620 |
| Oregon | $56K | +31% | 570 |
| Minnesota | $55K | +29% | 530 |
| New Jersey | $51K | +19% | 1,280 |
| California | $51K | +19% | 7,300 |
| Delaware | $50K | +18% | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $50K | +17% | 160 |
| Louisiana | $50K | +17% | 410 |
| Connecticut | $48K | +13% | 490 |
| New Hampshire | $48K | +13% | 180 |
| Utah | $48K | +12% | 650 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +7% | 450 |
| Maryland | $45K | +6% | 870 |
| Mississippi | $45K | +5% | 190 |
| Maine | $45K | +5% | 170 |
| Washington | $45K | +5% | 1,260 |
| Virginia | $43K | +2% | 1,360 |
| Kentucky | $42K | -1% | 300 |
| New Mexico | $42K | -2% | 210 |
| Georgia | $40K | -6% | 1,950 |
| Wyoming | $40K | -7% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $40K | -7% | 2,000 |
| Wisconsin | $39K | -7% | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $39K | -8% | 290 |
| North Carolina | $38K | -10% | 1,620 |
| Florida | $38K | -10% | 4,450 |
| Arizona | $38K | -10% | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $38K | -11% | 360 |
| Missouri | $37K | -12% | 810 |
| Indiana | $37K | -12% | 870 |
| Idaho | $37K | -13% | 170 |
| Texas | $37K | -14% | 3,780 |
| Iowa | $36K | -14% | 370 |
| Alaska | $36K | -15% | 50 |
| Montana | $36K | -15% | 180 |
| Tennessee | $36K | -15% | 1,090 |
| Kansas | $36K | -15% | 270 |
| Nevada | $36K | -16% | 790 |
| West Virginia | $35K | -17% | 120 |
| South Dakota | $35K | -17% | 100 |
| Alabama | $35K | -17% | 490 |
| North Dakota | $35K | -17% | 80 |
| South Carolina | $35K | -18% | 590 |
| Illinois | $35K | -19% | 2,530 |
| Ohio | $34K | -20% | 1,970 |
| Arkansas | $34K | -20% | 240 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track photographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Anchorage numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in Anchorage, AK?
The median is $37,610 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,840, and experienced photographers can clear $52,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Anchorage?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,688/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,376/month, which eats 51.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a photographers salary go in Anchorage?
Anchorage has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median photographers salary is worth about $35,676 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do photographers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.