How Much Does a Photographer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$44,660
Photographers in the U.S. earn a median of $44,660 a year, or $21.47 an hour. Half of photographers earn more than $44,660 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $91,810.
Pay percentiles for photographers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14.82 | $30,820 |
| 25th | $17.33 | $36,050 |
| 50th (median) | $21.47 | $44,660 |
| 75th | $30.16 | $62,740 |
| 90th | $44.14 | $91,810 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Photographers (SOC 27-4021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for photographers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | $53.35 | +148% |
| New York | $60,050 | $28.87 | +34% |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | $27.88 | +30% |
| Oregon | $53,630 | $25.78 | +20% |
| Utah | $52,140 | $25.07 | +17% |
| Delaware | $50,100 | $24.09 | +12% |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | $23.94 | +11% |
| New Mexico | $48,090 | $23.12 | +8% |
| Washington | $48,050 | $23.10 | +8% |
| California | $47,840 | $23.00 | +7% |
| United States | $44,660 | $21.47 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many photographers are there?
BLS counts about 51,760 photographers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (7,980), Florida (4,390) and Texas (4,330).
The mean (average) annual wage is $55,410, higher than the median of $44,660.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,722
- Biweekly
- $1,718
- Weekly
- $859
- Daily (8 hours)
- $172
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for photographers is $21.47. The middle 50% earn between $17.33 and $30.16 an hour.
Which state pays photographers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for photographers at $110,970, +148% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for photographers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of photographers earn less than $30,820 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.