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Top 15 cities for photographers by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $83,790 |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $75,490 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,520 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $72,250 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $72,200 |
| Portland, OR | $72,020 |
| New York, NY | $71,860 |
| Boston, MA | $70,820 |
| Washington, DC | $70,220 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $69,900 |
| Kahului, HI | $68,980 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $68,280 |
| Bend, OR | $67,290 |
| Boulder, CO | $66,690 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $63,700 |
Map: Photographers salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Photographers salary by state
Washington, D.C. pays photographers the most statewide, $104,630 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $104,630 | $110,970 | 260 | 1 | $70,220 | $70,220 |
| New York | $71,710 | $60,050 | 3,650 | 7 | $71,860 | $49,240 |
| Massachusetts | $71,300 | $57,990 | 830 | 3 | $70,820 | $61,620 |
| California | $70,040 | $47,840 | 7,980 | 15 | $83,790 | $45,310 |
| Oregon | $69,290 | $53,630 | 510 | 2 | $72,020 | $67,290 |
| New Mexico | $58,220 | $48,090 | 230 | 2 | $63,700 | $57,600 |
| Colorado | $58,170 | $47,070 | 1,140 | 5 | $68,280 | $53,270 |
| Maryland | $57,560 | $46,450 | 790 | 1 | $53,770 | $53,770 |
| Georgia | $57,260 | $43,770 | 1,420 | 3 | $61,210 | $47,040 |
| Connecticut | $57,250 | $49,790 | 630 | 5 | $62,990 | $52,610 |
| Hawaii | $57,030 | $45,960 | 440 | 2 | $68,980 | $51,700 |
| Washington | $56,270 | $48,050 | 960 | 4 | $61,000 | $45,400 |
| Minnesota | $56,220 | $46,470 | 730 | 1 | $57,180 | $57,180 |
| Michigan | n/a | n/a | 970 | 2 | $55,960 | $44,420 |
| New Jersey | $53,410 | $40,520 | 1,460 | 2 | $57,930 | $55,760 |
| Virginia | $52,640 | $46,550 | 1,580 | 4 | $53,510 | $45,620 |
| Maine | $52,320 | $46,680 | 180 | 1 | $53,690 | $53,690 |
| Florida | $52,130 | $42,640 | 4,390 | 16 | $58,140 | $41,720 |
| Utah | $51,290 | $52,140 | 660 | 3 | $55,930 | $44,690 |
| Delaware | $51,040 | $50,100 | 180 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $50,600 | $36,570 | 2,150 | 3 | $52,040 | $40,880 |
| Alaska | $50,090 | $39,190 | 50 | 1 | $50,920 | $50,920 |
| Kentucky | $49,990 | $47,170 | 380 | 3 | $52,940 | $43,080 |
| New Hampshire | $49,740 | $44,780 | 220 | 1 | $54,200 | $54,200 |
| Wisconsin | $49,640 | $42,060 | 850 | 4 | $54,150 | $48,170 |
| Rhode Island | $49,440 | $37,300 | 220 | 1 | $52,410 | $52,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,190 | $40,520 | 1,870 | 9 | $52,490 | $37,270 |
| Montana | $49,120 | $39,900 | 190 | 2 | $55,540 | $52,260 |
| North Carolina | $47,540 | $37,120 | 2,130 | 9 | $51,210 | $41,060 |
| Missouri | $47,380 | $39,170 | 950 | 3 | $51,240 | $48,830 |
| Arizona | $47,330 | $36,970 | 1,360 | 3 | $50,410 | $40,400 |
| Nebraska | $47,070 | $41,920 | 220 | 2 | $48,930 | $44,740 |
| Ohio | $46,780 | $38,470 | 1,540 | 7 | $50,470 | $43,110 |
| Mississippi | $45,970 | $45,860 | 190 | 1 | $47,520 | $47,520 |
| North Dakota | $45,730 | $37,410 | 70 | 1 | $46,170 | $46,170 |
| Wyoming | $44,960 | $39,330 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $44,380 | $37,890 | 630 | 5 | $55,560 | $38,590 |
| Kansas | $44,120 | $37,790 | 300 | 1 | $44,390 | $44,390 |
| Tennessee | $44,060 | $37,950 | 780 | 4 | $51,170 | $39,580 |
| South Dakota | $43,740 | $45,330 | 190 | 2 | $45,310 | $41,740 |
| Texas | $43,720 | $41,280 | 4,330 | 12 | $46,990 | $32,360 |
| Louisiana | $43,530 | $36,830 | 510 | 3 | $54,030 | $38,570 |
| Alabama | $43,480 | $36,130 | 530 | 4 | $53,320 | $40,120 |
| Iowa | $42,860 | $38,290 | 430 | 3 | $47,890 | $40,410 |
| Nevada | $41,360 | $37,460 | 890 | 2 | $50,670 | $40,340 |
| West Virginia | $41,220 | $36,110 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $40,650 | $35,960 | 810 | 5 | $42,220 | $37,590 |
| Oklahoma | $40,300 | $36,750 | 330 | 1 | $43,010 | $43,010 |
| Idaho | $37,950 | $33,320 | 190 | 1 | $37,230 | $37,230 |
| Puerto Rico | $35,150 | $34,060 | 90 | 1 | $36,250 | $36,250 |
| Arkansas | $34,700 | $32,810 | 240 | 2 | $35,890 | $35,640 |
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Photographers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $83,790 | $58,840 | $40.28 | 880 |
| San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $52,470 | $36.30 | 210 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,520 | $47,840 | $35.35 | 4,290 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $72,250 | $50,500 | $34.74 | 60 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $72,200 | $55,220 | $34.71 | 60 |
| Portland, OR | $72,020 | $59,220 | $34.63 | 350 |
| New York, NY | $71,860 | $60,050 | $34.55 | 3,590 |
| Boston, MA | $70,820 | $55,020 | $34.05 | 670 |
| Washington, DC | $70,220 | $54,530 | $33.76 | 1,060 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $69,900 | $58,050 | $33.61 | 150 |
| Kahului, HI | $68,980 | $51,870 | $33.17 | 100 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $68,280 | $62,550 | $32.83 | 70 |
| Bend, OR | $67,290 | $65,990 | $32.35 | 30 |
| Boulder, CO | $66,690 | $60,930 | $32.06 | 60 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $63,700 | $50,670 | $30.63 | 40 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $62,990 | $54,260 | $30.28 | 160 |
| Springfield, MA | $62,870 | $60,430 | $30.23 | 40 |
| Worcester, MA | $61,620 | $50,170 | $29.63 | 60 |
| Atlanta, GA | $61,210 | $48,670 | $29.43 | 930 |
| Seattle, WA | $61,000 | $51,790 | $29.33 | 550 |
| San Diego, CA | $60,580 | $44,030 | $29.12 | 620 |
| Denver, CO | $59,430 | $47,340 | $28.57 | 620 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $59,300 | $48,790 | $28.51 | 40 |
| New Haven, CT | $58,740 | $51,000 | $28.24 | 100 |
| Miami, FL | $58,140 | $49,980 | $27.95 | 1,470 |
| Trenton, NJ | $57,930 | $43,940 | $27.85 | 40 |
| Lakeland, FL | $57,810 | $47,870 | $27.80 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $57,600 | $48,090 | $27.69 | 100 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $57,180 | $46,960 | $27.49 | 520 |
| Albany, NY | $56,970 | $50,940 | $27.39 | 130 |
| Savannah, GA | $56,910 | $49,110 | $27.36 | 70 |
| Oxnard, CA | $56,670 | $43,870 | $27.25 | 90 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $56,240 | $56,220 | $27.04 | 60 |
| Lansing, MI | $55,960 | $46,270 | $26.90 | 70 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,930 | $60,000 | $26.89 | 280 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $55,760 | $40,910 | $26.81 | 40 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $55,640 | $46,540 | $26.75 | 380 |
| Norwich, CT | $55,600 | $46,880 | $26.73 | 70 |
| Sacramento, CA | $55,590 | $45,880 | $26.73 | 290 |
| Charleston, SC | $55,560 | $56,890 | $26.71 | 100 |
| Bozeman, MT | $55,540 | $44,020 | $26.70 | 60 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $55,530 | $42,110 | $26.70 | 120 |
| Naples, FL | $55,470 | $49,760 | $26.67 | 40 |
| Tampa, FL | $54,430 | $44,530 | $26.17 | 450 |
| Olympia, WA | $54,220 | $43,550 | $26.07 | 40 |
| Hartford, CT | $54,200 | $51,410 | $26.06 | 160 |
| Manchester, NH | $54,200 | $50,620 | $26.06 | 40 |
| La Crosse, WI | $54,150 | $47,300 | $26.03 | 30 |
| Slidell, LA | $54,030 | $45,040 | $25.98 | 30 |
| Syracuse, NY | $53,820 | $49,560 | $25.88 | 80 |
| Baltimore, MD | $53,770 | $46,170 | $25.85 | 480 |
| Portland, ME | $53,690 | $47,720 | $25.81 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $53,510 | $46,420 | $25.72 | 270 |
| Montgomery, AL | $53,320 | $52,160 | $25.63 | 30 |
| Greeley, CO | $53,270 | $42,020 | $25.61 | 40 |
| Lexington, KY | $52,940 | $47,170 | $25.45 | 60 |
| Louisville, KY | $52,880 | $50,000 | $25.42 | 150 |
| Waterbury, CT | $52,610 | $46,540 | $25.30 | 50 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $52,490 | $43,750 | $25.24 | 950 |
| Providence, RI | $52,410 | $50,060 | $25.20 | 240 |
| Billings, MT | $52,260 | $36,360 | $25.12 | 30 |
| Stockton, CA | $52,250 | $46,620 | $25.12 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $52,190 | $42,530 | $25.09 | 290 |
| Modesto, CA | $52,140 | $44,240 | $25.07 | 50 |
| Chicago, IL | $52,040 | $36,810 | $25.02 | 1,590 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $52,000 | $44,940 | $25.00 | 300 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $51,890 | $44,290 | $24.95 | 60 |
| Honolulu, HI | $51,700 | $45,300 | $24.85 | 280 |
| Pensacola, FL | $51,450 | $47,920 | $24.74 | 40 |
| Kingston, NY | $51,420 | $42,960 | $24.72 | 30 |
| Springfield, MO | $51,240 | $52,510 | $24.64 | 80 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,210 | $41,130 | $24.62 | 300 |
| Nashville, TN | $51,170 | $44,480 | $24.60 | 240 |
| Kansas City, MO | $50,980 | $43,750 | $24.51 | 280 |
| Riverside, CA | $50,950 | $43,710 | $24.50 | 460 |
| Anchorage, AK | $50,920 | $47,040 | $24.48 | 40 |
| Reno, NV | $50,670 | $48,670 | $24.36 | 80 |
| Columbus, OH | $50,470 | $41,390 | $24.27 | 310 |
| Tucson, AZ | $50,410 | $43,360 | $24.23 | 60 |
| Panama City, FL | $50,380 | $46,410 | $24.22 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $50,340 | $42,260 | $24.20 | 120 |
| York, PA | $50,010 | $40,240 | $24.04 | 40 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $49,710 | $45,380 | $23.90 | 210 |
| Cleveland, OH | $49,650 | $42,090 | $23.87 | 290 |
| Vallejo, CA | $49,640 | $43,040 | $23.87 | 110 |
| Green Bay, WI | $49,450 | $38,080 | $23.77 | 80 |
| Greensboro, NC | $49,250 | $44,990 | $23.68 | 180 |
| Buffalo, NY | $49,240 | $39,190 | $23.67 | 140 |
| Greenville, SC | $49,150 | $39,730 | $23.63 | 120 |
| Akron, OH | $49,090 | $36,100 | $23.60 | 80 |
| Scranton, PA | $49,000 | $43,060 | $23.56 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE | $48,930 | $45,160 | $23.53 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO | $48,830 | $39,170 | $23.47 | 420 |
| Hickory, NC | $48,800 | $44,840 | $23.46 | 30 |
| Charlotte, NC | $48,230 | $36,810 | $23.19 | 690 |
| Birmingham, AL | $48,210 | $38,390 | $23.18 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $48,200 | $42,210 | $23.18 | 210 |
| Madison, WI | $48,170 | $43,040 | $23.16 | 160 |
| Davenport, IA | $47,890 | $43,100 | $23.02 | 30 |
| Provo, UT | $47,680 | $36,180 | $22.92 | 130 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,520 | $47,500 | $22.85 | 60 |
| Canton, OH | $47,490 | $36,580 | $22.83 | 60 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $47,360 | $36,090 | $22.77 | 60 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $47,150 | $36,970 | $22.67 | 1,140 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $47,100 | $43,040 | $22.64 | 290 |
| Spokane, WA | $47,070 | $45,690 | $22.63 | 170 |
| Augusta, GA | $47,040 | $41,020 | $22.62 | 30 |
| Waco, TX | $46,990 | $44,300 | $22.59 | 30 |
| Durham, NC | $46,860 | $36,670 | $22.53 | 210 |
| Crestview, FL | $46,810 | $35,410 | $22.50 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $46,750 | $38,840 | $22.48 | 120 |
| Des Moines, IA | $46,490 | $42,080 | $22.35 | 170 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $46,340 | $41,690 | $22.28 | 100 |
| Wilmington, NC | $46,270 | $37,690 | $22.25 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND | $46,170 | $38,210 | $22.20 | 50 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $45,680 | $34,010 | $21.96 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $45,620 | $39,710 | $21.93 | 50 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $45,510 | $38,320 | $21.88 | 80 |
| Dallas, TX | $45,480 | $43,970 | $21.86 | 1,480 |
| Orlando, FL | $45,420 | $34,860 | $21.84 | 980 |
| Kennewick, WA | $45,400 | $38,010 | $21.83 | 30 |
| Reading, PA | $45,380 | $42,430 | $21.82 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $45,310 | $37,520 | $21.79 | 140 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $45,310 | $45,760 | $21.78 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN | $45,170 | $38,510 | $21.72 | 110 |
| Houston, TX | $44,940 | $41,280 | $21.61 | 800 |
| Lincoln, NE | $44,740 | $39,540 | $21.51 | 50 |
| Ogden, UT | $44,690 | $33,860 | $21.48 | 150 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $44,420 | $37,510 | $21.36 | 70 |
| Deltona, FL | $44,390 | $39,260 | $21.34 | 50 |
| Wichita, KS | $44,390 | $36,300 | $21.34 | 50 |
| Gainesville, FL | $44,190 | $35,550 | $21.25 | 30 |
| Lancaster, PA | $43,830 | $37,600 | $21.07 | 120 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $43,610 | $35,380 | $20.97 | 80 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $43,530 | $45,000 | $20.93 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $43,280 | $36,240 | $20.81 | 100 |
| Toledo, OH | $43,230 | $35,810 | $20.78 | 80 |
| Lubbock, TX | $43,210 | $44,230 | $20.77 | 40 |
| Dayton, OH | $43,110 | $36,790 | $20.72 | 130 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $43,080 | $42,540 | $20.71 | 30 |
| Allentown, PA | $43,070 | $35,400 | $20.71 | 170 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $43,010 | $39,200 | $20.68 | 150 |
| San Antonio, TX | $42,330 | $37,780 | $20.35 | 330 |
| Lafayette, IN | $42,220 | $41,750 | $20.30 | 40 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $42,040 | $37,040 | $20.21 | 230 |
| Mobile, AL | $41,770 | $37,490 | $20.08 | 40 |
| Rapid City, SD | $41,740 | $39,780 | $20.07 | 30 |
| Sarasota, FL | $41,720 | $40,580 | $20.06 | 130 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $41,640 | $36,900 | $20.02 | 100 |
| Austin, TX | $41,590 | $38,970 | $19.99 | 540 |
| Rockford, IL | $41,290 | $36,360 | $19.85 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $41,110 | $35,120 | $19.77 | 160 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $41,060 | $34,560 | $19.74 | 30 |
| Beaumont, TX | $40,980 | $41,840 | $19.70 | 40 |
| Peoria, IL | $40,880 | $35,510 | $19.65 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $40,410 | $37,190 | $19.43 | 50 |
| El Paso, TX | $40,400 | $36,650 | $19.43 | 80 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $40,400 | $34,010 | $19.42 | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $40,380 | $34,950 | $19.41 | 70 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $40,340 | $36,880 | $19.39 | 770 |
| Huntsville, AL | $40,120 | $31,200 | $19.29 | 90 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $40,050 | $36,950 | $19.26 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $39,580 | $33,600 | $19.03 | 50 |
| Columbia, SC | $38,590 | $36,060 | $18.56 | 120 |
| Lafayette, LA | $38,570 | $30,450 | $18.54 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $38,530 | $35,420 | $18.52 | 50 |
| Tyler, TX | $38,410 | $34,130 | $18.47 | 50 |
| South Bend, IN | $37,590 | $35,920 | $18.07 | 40 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $37,270 | $26,640 | $17.92 | n/a |
| Boise, ID | $37,230 | $33,320 | $17.90 | 130 |
| Killeen, TX | $37,140 | $32,780 | $17.86 | n/a |
| San Juan, PR | $36,250 | $37,360 | $17.43 | 80 |
| Little Rock, AR | $35,890 | $35,610 | $17.25 | 90 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $35,640 | $35,630 | $17.13 | 70 |
| McAllen, TX | $32,360 | $28,110 | $15.56 | 70 |
Related jobs
- Audio and Video TechniciansU.S. average $64,630
- Broadcast TechniciansU.S. average $67,960
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and FilmU.S. average $83,210
- Film and Video EditorsU.S. average $86,130
- Sound Engineering TechniciansU.S. average $81,390
- Lighting TechniciansU.S. average $78,380
- Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All OtherU.S. average $81,040
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Photographers salary: questions
Where do photographers make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $83,790 a year, among the 175 metro areas we cover.
What is the average photographers salary in the U.S.?
$55,410 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $44,660, so half of photographers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should photographers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of photographers nationwide earn between $36,050 (25th percentile) and $62,740 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays photographers the most?
Washington, D.C., with a statewide average of $104,630 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is photographers pay the lowest?
McAllen, TX, at $32,360 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-4021.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.