Photographer Salary
Photographers earn a median $44,660 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What photographers do
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject’s appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 10,700
- Self-employed
- 67%
Employment of photographers is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Photographer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,179
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,769
- Medicare (1.45%)$648
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,064
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,820 | $14.82 | $26,944 |
| 25th percentile | $36,050 | $17.33 | $31,146 |
| Median (50th) | $44,660 | $21.47 | $38,064 |
| 75th percentile | $62,740 | $30.16 | $52,592 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,810 | $44.14 | $73,418 |
Best cities for photographers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $60,050 | $47,784 | $42,451 | 3,590 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,840 | $39,078 | $34,410 | 4,290 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $60,050
- Los Angeles, CA — $47,840
Photographer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | +0.4% | $80,433 | $46,080 – $148,360 | 260 |
| New York | $60,050 | +4.1% | $47,784 | $37,890 – $109,470 | 3,650 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | −4.3% | $46,095 | $38,480 – $112,760 | 830 |
| Oregon | $53,630 | −3.6% | $41,409 | $37,010 – $110,380 | 510 |
| Utah | $52,140 | +9.5% | $42,694 | $31,440 – $81,070 | 660 |
| Delaware | $50,100 | +0.1% | $40,332 | $32,980 – $71,170 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | +3.2% | $40,871 | $34,010 – $79,880 | 630 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 | +15.6% | $39,720 | $34,800 – $79,780 | 230 |
| Washington | $48,050 | +7.8% | $40,788 | $37,440 – $83,200 | 960 |
| California | $47,840 | −5.5% | $39,078 | $36,470 – $125,490 | 7,980 |
| Kentucky | $47,170 | +12.3% | $38,548 | $23,990 – $76,490 | 380 |
| Colorado | $47,070 | +8.1% | $38,638 | $36,440 – $92,200 | 1,140 |
| Maine | $46,680 | +4.6% | $37,718 | $33,270 – $79,230 | 180 |
| Virginia | $46,550 | +7.8% | $37,720 | $31,200 – $91,060 | 1,580 |
| Minnesota | $46,470 | −15.0% | $37,851 | $36,890 – $84,530 | 730 |
| Maryland | $46,450 | +3.5% | $37,660 | $31,200 – $93,660 | 790 |
| Hawaii | $45,960 | +1.1% | $37,116 | $30,800 – $105,820 | 440 |
| Mississippi | $45,860 | +2.7% | $37,926 | $24,030 – $65,370 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $45,330 | +29.0% | $38,603 | $31,150 – $54,750 | 190 |
| New Hampshire | $44,780 | −7.1% | $38,161 | $22,110 – $76,570 | 220 |
| Georgia | $43,770 | +9.3% | $35,700 | $22,690 – $103,550 | 1,420 |
| Florida | $42,640 | +11.5% | $36,441 | $29,990 – $80,400 | 4,390 |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 | +6.6% | $34,906 | $31,540 – $80,550 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $41,920 | +7.4% | $34,835 | $28,080 – $71,150 | 220 |
| Texas | $41,280 | +12.3% | $35,348 | $24,910 – $62,720 | 4,330 |
| New Jersey | $40,520 | −20.2% | $34,037 | $34,990 – $91,780 | 1,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 | +2.2% | $33,494 | $29,020 – $75,100 | 1,870 |
| Montana | $39,900 | +10.3% | $33,121 | $24,070 – $110,570 | 190 |
| Wyoming | $39,330 | −0.9% | $33,782 | $28,430 – $70,290 | 50 |
| Alaska | $39,190 | +8.3% | $33,669 | $34,040 – $101,430 | 50 |
| Missouri | $39,170 | +5.1% | $32,749 | $29,600 – $74,530 | 950 |
| Ohio | $38,470 | +13.2% | $32,815 | $23,670 – $80,990 | 1,540 |
| Iowa | $38,290 | +5.3% | $32,143 | $15,080 – $77,830 | 430 |
| Tennessee | $37,950 | +5.4% | $32,673 | $28,820 – $67,060 | 780 |
| South Carolina | $37,890 | +8.7% | $31,508 | $26,480 – $71,810 | 630 |
| Kansas | $37,790 | +5.2% | $31,235 | $29,340 – $72,380 | 300 |
| Nevada | $37,460 | +5.3% | $32,279 | $26,610 – $57,640 | 890 |
| North Dakota | $37,410 | +6.6% | $32,239 | $35,350 – $71,500 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $37,300 | −25.1% | $31,369 | $34,600 – $76,810 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $37,120 | −3.3% | $31,034 | $28,330 – $76,060 | 2,130 |
| Arizona | $36,970 | −3.2% | $31,170 | $32,080 – $84,130 | 1,360 |
| Louisiana | $36,830 | −26.0% | $31,054 | $19,180 – $70,310 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 | −3.1% | $30,600 | $17,210 – $63,370 | 330 |
| Illinois | $36,570 | +5.7% | $29,899 | $31,200 – $96,770 | 2,150 |
| Alabama | $36,130 | +2.8% | $29,669 | $24,590 – $72,550 | 530 |
| West Virginia | $36,110 | +1.8% | $30,225 | $29,130 – $57,510 | 110 |
| Indiana | $35,960 | −3.5% | $30,043 | $24,960 – $59,350 | 810 |
| Idaho | $33,320 | −9.7% | $28,295 | $22,470 – $53,790 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $32,810 | −3.1% | $27,476 | $24,890 – $43,950 | 240 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technician | $58,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.9% |
| Broadcast Technician | $59,570 | Associate's degree | -3.1% |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.8% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | Bachelor's degree | +1.3% |
| Film and Video Editor | $75,420 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Coach and Scout | $47,320 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey | $47,340 | Bachelor's degree | -7.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make?
The national median salary for photographers is $44,660 a year ($21.47 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,820 and the top 10% earn over $91,810. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays photographers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $110,970. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many photographers are there in the U.S.?
About 51,760 people work as photographers nationwide.