Photographers Salary in Iowa
The median pay for a photographers in Iowa is $36,380/year ($17.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $15K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $36K get you in Iowa?
About photographers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $15K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Photographers salary by metro in Iowa
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $38K | +4% | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $36K | +0% | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $35K | -3% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track photographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in Iowa?
The median is $36,380 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $15,080, and experienced photographers can clear $74,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $36K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,468/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 43.1% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median photographers salary is worth about $40,941 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.