Photographer earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level photographer earnings begin at:

$38.36 per hour

$79,780 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level photographer earnings begin at:

$32.23 per hour

$67,030 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level photographer earnings begin at:

$23.12 per hour

$48,090 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level photographer earnings begin at:

$19.70 per hour

$40,980 per year

10th percentile

Starting level photographer earnings begin at:

$16.73 per hour

$34,800 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 New Mexico. On average, they make less than urban planners but more than museum conservators.

Career Median Salary
Urban planner salary $78K
Industrial designer salary $63K
Interior designer salary $61K
Illustrator salary $63K
Multimedia animator salary $54K
Photographer salary $48K
Film and video editor salary $49K
Graphic designer salary $57K
Camera operator salary $49K
Museum conservator salary $57K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)