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Photographers Salary in Missouri

The median pay for a photographers in Missouri is $37,280/year ($17.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:

$37K
Median annual
$17.92/hr
Hourly rate
$29K
Entry level (10th %)
$84K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $37K get you in Missouri?

Estimated monthly take-home$2,585/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,097/mo
Rent as % of take-home42.4% (above 30% guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$41,902/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$1,488/mo

About photographers

U.S. employed: 810
Category: Arts & Media

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri

Bar chart showing Photographers salary percentiles in Missouri: 10th percentile $29,020, 25th percentile $31,000, median $37,280, 75th percentile $56,580, 90th percentile $83,970. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$29K25th$31KMedian$37K75th$57K90th$84K
Bar chart showing Photographers salary percentiles in Missouri: 10th percentile $29,020, 25th percentile $31,000, median $37,280, 75th percentile $56,580, 90th percentile $83,970. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $55K spread from bottom to top.

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Photographers salary by metro in Missouri

3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay

Metro areaMedian salaryvs. stateEmployment
Springfield$50K+35%80
Kansas City$38K+1%240
St. Louis$37K+0%460

Compare to other states

Track photographers salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do photographers make in Missouri?

The median is $37,280 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,020, and experienced photographers can clear $83,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $37K enough to live in Missouri?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,585/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 42.4% 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 Missouri?

Missouri 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 $41,902 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.

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