Photographers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $44,660 · Median hourly: $21.47 · Employment: 51,760
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,820 | $14.82 |
| 25th | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Median | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| 75th | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| 90th | $91,810 | $44.14 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-4021
- Total U.S. employment: 51,760
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $30,820, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $91,810 — a 3.0x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $21.47 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $44,658 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $44,660.
Photographers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,130 | $17.37 | -19.1% | 530 |
| Alaska | $39,190 | $18.84 | -12.2% | 50 |
| Arizona | $36,970 | $17.77 | -17.2% | 1,360 |
| Arkansas | $32,810 | $15.78 | -26.5% | 240 |
| California | $47,840 | $23.00 | +7.1% | 7,980 |
| Colorado | $47,070 | $22.63 | +5.4% | 1,140 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | $23.94 | +11.5% | 630 |
| Delaware | $50,100 | $24.09 | +12.2% | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | $53.35 | +148.5% | 260 |
| Florida | $42,640 | $20.50 | -4.5% | 4,390 |
| Georgia | $43,770 | $21.04 | -2.0% | 1,420 |
| Hawaii | $45,960 | $22.10 | +2.9% | 440 |
| Idaho | $33,320 | $16.02 | -25.4% | 190 |
| Illinois | $36,570 | $17.58 | -18.1% | 2,150 |
| Indiana | $35,960 | $17.29 | -19.5% | 810 |
| Iowa | $38,290 | $18.41 | -14.3% | 430 |
| Kansas | $37,790 | $18.17 | -15.4% | 300 |
| Kentucky | $47,170 | $22.68 | +5.6% | 380 |
| Louisiana | $36,830 | $17.71 | -17.5% | 510 |
| Maine | $46,680 | $22.44 | +4.5% | 180 |
| Maryland | $46,450 | $22.33 | +4.0% | 790 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | $27.88 | +29.8% | 830 |
| Michigan | — | — | — | 970 |
| Minnesota | $46,470 | $22.34 | +4.1% | 730 |
| Mississippi | $45,860 | $22.05 | +2.7% | 190 |
| Missouri | $39,170 | $18.83 | -12.3% | 950 |
| Montana | $39,900 | $19.18 | -10.7% | 190 |
| Nebraska | $41,920 | $20.15 | -6.1% | 220 |
| Nevada | $37,460 | $18.01 | -16.1% | 890 |
| New Hampshire | $44,780 | $21.53 | +0.3% | 220 |
| New Jersey | $40,520 | $19.48 | -9.3% | 1,460 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 | $23.12 | +7.7% | 230 |
| New York | $60,050 | $28.87 | +34.5% | 3,650 |
| North Carolina | $37,120 | $17.84 | -16.9% | 2,130 |
| North Dakota | $37,410 | $17.99 | -16.2% | 70 |
| Ohio | $38,470 | $18.50 | -13.9% | 1,540 |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 | $17.67 | -17.7% | 330 |
| Oregon | $53,630 | $25.78 | +20.1% | 510 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 | $19.48 | -9.3% | 1,870 |
| Rhode Island | $37,300 | $17.93 | -16.5% | 220 |
| South Carolina | $37,890 | $18.22 | -15.2% | 630 |
| South Dakota | $45,330 | $21.79 | +1.5% | 190 |
| Tennessee | $37,950 | $18.25 | -15.0% | 780 |
| Texas | $41,280 | $19.85 | -7.6% | 4,330 |
| Utah | $52,140 | $25.07 | +16.7% | 660 |
| Vermont | — | — | — | 60 |
| Virginia | $46,550 | $22.38 | +4.2% | 1,580 |
| Washington | $48,050 | $23.10 | +7.6% | 960 |
| West Virginia | $36,110 | $17.36 | -19.1% | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 | $20.22 | -5.8% | 850 |
| Wyoming | $39,330 | $18.91 | -11.9% | 50 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for photographers?
The median annual wage for photographers is $44,660 ($21.47 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays photographers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many photographers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 51,760 photographers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do photographers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $21.47. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.