Photographers Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
The median pay for a photographers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $57,800/year ($27.79/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $62,419 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,331/month — about 35% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $58K get you in New Orleans-Metairie?
About photographers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K.Top earners bring in $117K or more - a $87K 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 New Orleans-Metairie numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median is $57,800 a year - that works out to about $27.79 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,030, and experienced photographers can clear $116,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in New Orleans-Metairie?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,884/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 34.3% 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 New Orleans-Metairie?
New Orleans-Metairie has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median photographers salary is worth about $62,419 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.