Photographers pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for photographers is $17.58 an hour ($36,570 a year). About 2,150 people work in this job there.
That is 18% lower than the U.S. median ($44,660). Illinois ranks 44th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for photographers in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $15.53 | $32,300 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.58 | $36,570 |
| 75% of workers | $27.69 | $57,590 |
| 90% of workers | $46.52 | $96,770 |
Photographers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| Rockford | $36,360 | 40 |
| Peoria | $35,510 | 50 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $62,560 |
| Art Directors | $103,550 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $100,170 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $49,450 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,180 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $74,210 |
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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.