The average salary for a photographer in Montana is around $39,900 per year.
Avg Salary
Photographers earn an average yearly salary of $39,900.
Wages typically start from $24,070 and go up to $110,570.
26% below national average Updated in 2025
Photographer earnings by seniority
Top-level photographer earnings begin at:
$53.16 per hour
$110,570 per year
Senior-level photographer earnings begin at:
$25.00 per hour
$52,000 per year
Mid-level photographer earnings begin at:
$19.18 per hour
$39,900 per year
Junior-level photographer earnings begin at:
$13.90 per hour
$28,910 per year
Starting level photographer earnings begin at:
$11.57 per hour
$24,070 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Photographer salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $60,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 |
| Oregon | $53,630 |
| Utah | $52,140 |
| Delaware | $50,100 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 |
| Washington | $48,050 |
| California | $47,840 |
| Kentucky | $47,170 |
| Colorado | $47,070 |
| Maine | $46,680 |
| Virginia | $46,550 |
| Minnesota | $46,470 |
| Maryland | $46,450 |
| Hawaii | $45,960 |
| Mississippi | $45,860 |
| South Dakota | $45,330 |
| New Hampshire | $44,780 |
| Georgia | $43,770 |
| Vermont | $43,230 |
| Florida | $42,640 |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 |
| Nebraska | $41,920 |
| Texas | $41,280 |
| New Jersey | $40,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 |
| Montana | $39,900 |
| Wyoming | $39,330 |
| Alaska | $39,190 |
| Missouri | $39,170 |
| Ohio | $38,470 |
| Iowa | $38,290 |
| Tennessee | $37,950 |
| South Carolina | $37,890 |
| Kansas | $37,790 |
| Nevada | $37,460 |
| North Dakota | $37,410 |
| Rhode Island | $37,300 |
| North Carolina | $37,120 |
| Arizona | $36,970 |
| Louisiana | $36,830 |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 |
| Illinois | $36,570 |
| Alabama | $36,130 |
| West Virginia | $36,110 |
| Indiana | $35,960 |
| Idaho | $33,320 |
| Arkansas | $32,810 |
| Michigan | $31,351 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,840 |
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
How much does a Photographer earn?
A photographer's salary range varies because location, marketing skills, experience, reputation, charisma, and area of specialization all play an integral role in a photographer's fees. To make money with photography, one has to approach it as a business. Yes, photography is all about creativity and style, but even the most imaginative mind can still fail to generate an income.
A freelance photographer's salary depends on the number of assignments he or she receives and the fee he or she charges. There are various types of photography one can choose from - choose the path that lines up best with your passion and vision. The five most lucrative careers for a photographer are wedding photography, fashion photography, sports photography, product photography, and portrait photography.
How do photographer salaries compare to similar careers?
Photographers earn 8% less than similar careers in Montana. On average, they make less than film directors but more than precious metal workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Film director salary | $53K |
| Filmmaker salary | $53K |
| Graphic designer salary | $57K |
| Potter salary | $58K |
| Glass blower salary | $58K |
| Photographer salary | $40K |
| Camera operator salary | $51K |
| Jeweler salary | $38K |
| Gem worker salary | $38K |
| Precious metal worker salary | $38K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)