Photographers Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a photographers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $60,910/year ($29.29/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $55,983 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 78.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $61K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About photographers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level photographers (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K.Top earners bring in $99K or more - a $61K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $60,910 a year - that works out to about $29.29 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,860, and experienced photographers can clear $99,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,084/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 76.5% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median photographers salary is worth about $55,983 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.