The average salary for a photographer in the United States is $53,380, but the range typically falls between $32,240 and $62,480. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $25.67, with a range between $15.5 and $30.04.
There are approximately 53,630 people employed as a photographer in the United States. With California, Florida, New York employing the highest number of photographers.The state with the best pay for a photographer is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $88,540, while South Carolina has the lowest average annual salary of $35,010.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,240 | $15.5 |
| Median | $40,760 | $19.6 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,480 | $30.04 |
| 90th Percentile | $95,740 | $46.03 |
The salary of a photographer can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a photographer in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for photographers are District of Columbia, California, Idaho, New York, Connecticut while the worst states are South Carolina, North Dakota, Montana, West Virginia, Nebraska.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,070 | $38,840 | $57,670 |
| Alaska | $25,440 | $44,310 | $73,220 |
| Arizona | $29,810 | $45,550 | $66,370 |
| Arkansas | $27,800 | $40,040 | $66,290 |
| California | $35,930 | $75,510 | $107,900 |
| Colorado | $31,440 | $55,030 | $81,630 |
| Connecticut | $36,440 | $55,980 | $80,950 |
| Delaware | $28,300 | $45,800 | $73,620 |
| District of Columbia | $45,080 | $88,540 | $139,610 |
| Florida | $28,480 | $44,090 | $72,800 |
| Georgia | $21,870 | $55,160 | $101,900 |
| Hawaii | $30,100 | $67,600 | $125,750 |
| Idaho | $33,790 | $65,920 | $106,350 |
| Illinois | $29,310 | $44,050 | $68,270 |
| Indiana | $26,550 | $44,080 | $70,700 |
| Iowa | $20,410 | $40,130 | $64,680 |
| Kansas | $24,530 | $37,370 | $59,830 |
| Kentucky | $19,750 | $37,090 | $53,790 |
| Louisiana | $24,060 | $50,360 | $72,230 |
| Maine | $30,750 | $48,220 | $70,690 |
| Maryland | $29,390 | $46,970 | $79,680 |
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $57,460 | $92,560 |
| Michigan | $30,950 | $49,980 | $77,980 |
| Mississippi | $19,620 | $41,750 | $71,450 |
| Missouri | $27,690 | $46,750 | $75,890 |
| Montana | $20,700 | $37,060 | $64,750 |
| Nebraska | $21,840 | $42,520 | $79,760 |
| Nevada | $25,440 | $44,740 | $65,090 |
| New Hampshire | $34,070 | $57,990 | $81,950 |
| New Jersey | $30,050 | $57,440 | $85,720 |
| New Mexico | $29,850 | $57,380 | $97,810 |
| New York | $35,030 | $81,130 | $139,290 |
| North Carolina | $28,600 | $51,200 | $75,040 |
| North Dakota | $22,140 | $39,180 | $61,090 |
| Ohio | $28,100 | $39,660 | $58,410 |
| Oklahoma | $28,570 | $41,910 | $61,550 |
| Oregon | $34,430 | $52,530 | $84,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,070 | $42,370 | $63,350 |
| Rhode Island | $34,120 | $68,500 | $77,140 |
| South Carolina | $17,310 | $35,010 | $52,000 |
| South Dakota | $30,320 | $38,050 | $48,270 |
| Tennessee | $23,320 | $40,460 | $64,310 |
| Texas | $21,440 | $36,850 | $57,930 |
| Utah | $21,030 | $51,850 | $75,090 |
| Vermont | $40,280 | $77,780 | $98,180 |
| Virginia | $27,160 | $47,160 | $71,760 |
| Washington | $34,160 | $52,010 | $83,200 |
| West Virginia | $25,520 | $34,450 | $45,600 |
| Wisconsin | $26,590 | $44,130 | $69,370 |
| Wyoming | $29,190 | $43,880 | $67,390 |
Even between cities, the salary of a photographer can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for photographers is San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, CA with an average salary of $93,160.The city with the lowest average salary for photographers is McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area, TX with an average salary of $27,780.
Areas with highest average salaries for photographers
Areas with lowest average salaries for photographers
The number of photographers in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of photographers has increased by 12,030. On average, the number of photographers has been increasing by 7.2% each year. The salary of photographers has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of photographers has increased by $3,090. On average, the salary of photographers has been increasing by 1.5% each year.
Photographers are part of the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for photographers compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations jobs here.
$71,040 per year
$77,720 per year
$63,080 per year
$74,100 per year
$87,590 per year
$101,430 per year
