Photographers pay in New York
In New York, the median pay for photographers is $28.87 an hour ($60,050 a year). About 3,650 people work in this job there.
That is 34% higher than the U.S. median ($44,660). New York ranks 2nd of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for photographers in New York
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.22 | $37,890 |
| 25% of workers | $20.71 | $43,080 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.87 | $60,050 |
| 75% of workers | $45.01 | $93,620 |
| 90% of workers | $52.63 | $109,470 |
Photographers pay in New York metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $58,050 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $50,940 | 130 |
| Syracuse | $49,560 | 80 |
| Kingston | $42,960 | 30 |
| Rochester | $42,260 | 120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $39,190 | 140 |
New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 New York
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $77,340 |
| Art Directors | $137,320 |
| Film and Video Editors | $103,440 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $93,410 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $96,770 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $78,870 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $52,420 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 |
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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.