Photographers Salary in U.S. (2024)
The median pay for a photographers in U.S. is $42,520/year ($20.44/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $43K get you in U.S.?
About photographers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K.Top earners bring in $95K or more - a $65K 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 |
Track photographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in U.S.?
The median is $42,520 a year - that works out to about $20.44 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,610, and experienced photographers can clear $94,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,017/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 46.8% 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 U.S.?
U.S. 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 $42,520 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.