Photographers Salary in Rochester, MN
The median pay for a photographers in Rochester, MN is $78,870/year ($37.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.82), which stretches that salary to about $86,842 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 27.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in Rochester?
About photographers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rochester, MN
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $79K or more - a $46K 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 Rochester numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in Rochester, MN?
The median is $78,870 a year - that works out to about $37.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,820, and experienced photographers can clear $78,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Rochester?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,995/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a photographers salary go in Rochester?
Rochester has a Regional Price Parity of 90.82 (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 $86,842 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.