Photographers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for photographers is $21.47 an hour ($44,660 a year). About 51,760 people work in this job there.
Pay range for photographers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.82 | $30,820 |
| 25% of workers | $17.33 | $36,050 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.47 | $44,660 |
| 75% of workers | $30.16 | $62,740 |
| 90% of workers | $44.14 | $91,810 |
Best-paying states for photographers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | 260 |
| New York | $60,050 | 3,650 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | 830 |
| Oregon | $53,630 | 510 |
| Utah | $52,140 | 660 |
| Delaware | $50,100 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | 630 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 | 230 |
| Washington | $48,050 | 960 |
| California | $47,840 | 7,980 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $36,130
- Arizona · $36,970
- California · $47,840
- Colorado · $47,070
- Connecticut · $49,790
- Florida · $42,640
- Georgia · $43,770
- Illinois · $36,570
- Indiana · $35,960
- Louisiana · $36,830
- Maryland · $46,450
- Massachusetts · $57,990
- Minnesota · $46,470
- Missouri · $39,170
- Nevada · $37,460
- New Jersey · $40,520
- New York · $60,050
- North Carolina · $37,120
- Ohio · $38,470
- Oregon · $53,630
- Pennsylvania · $40,520
- South Carolina · $37,890
- Tennessee · $37,950
- Texas · $41,280
- Utah · $52,140
- Virginia · $46,550
- Washington · $48,050
- Wisconsin · $42,060
Education, experience and outlook for photographers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -0.7% over ten years, little or no change · about 10,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $62,960 |
| Art Directors | $114,850 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,910 |
| Film and Video Editors | $75,420 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $48,690 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $102,030 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.