Photographers Salary in Pennsylvania
The median pay for a photographers in Pennsylvania is $39,640/year ($19.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $40K get you in Pennsylvania?
About photographers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $40K. Top earners bring in $73K or more, a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Photographers salary by metro in Pennsylvania
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $45K | +14% | 830 |
| Reading | $44K | +10% | 30 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $42K | +6% | 90 |
| Lancaster | $42K | +5% | 140 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $42K | +5% | 30 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $39K | -1% | 110 |
| Pittsburgh | $34K | -13% | 580 |
Compare to other states
Track photographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $39,640 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,530, and experienced photographers can clear $73,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $40K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,723/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 49.6% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania 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 $41,739 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.