The average wage for a photographer in the United States is around $18.22 per hour.
Avg Wage
Photographers earn an average hourly wage of $18.22.
Salaries typically start from $10.36 per hour and go up to $32.04 per hour.
37% below national average Updated in 2019
Photographer earnings by seniority
Top-level photographer earnings begin at:
$32.04 per hour
$66,651 per year
Senior-level photographer earnings begin at:
$24.52 per hour
$51,012 per year
Mid-level photographer earnings begin at:
$18.22 per hour
$37,900 per year
Junior-level photographer earnings begin at:
$13.54 per hour
$28,158 per year
Starting level photographer earnings begin at:
$10.36 per hour
$21,551 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Photographer salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,720 |
| Rhode Island | $55,990 |
| California | $48,253 |
| Minnesota | $47,810 |
| Massachusetts | $46,770 |
| Washington | $44,180 |
| Mississippi | $43,330 |
| Vermont | $43,230 |
| Connecticut | $43,210 |
| New York | $43,210 |
| Alaska | $42,160 |
| South Carolina | $42,090 |
| Hawaii | $42,025 |
| Illinois | $41,374 |
| Florida | $39,990 |
| Indiana | $38,125 |
| Arizona | $36,817 |
| Georgia | $36,670 |
| Missouri | $36,470 |
| Maryland | $35,670 |
| Kentucky | $35,650 |
| Wyoming | $35,360 |
| North Dakota | $35,140 |
| Alabama | $34,931 |
| New Hampshire | $34,020 |
| Kansas | $33,607 |
| Virginia | $32,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,509 |
| New Mexico | $32,300 |
| Delaware | $31,810 |
| Michigan | $31,351 |
| Oklahoma | $31,330 |
| Colorado | $31,230 |
| Idaho | $31,117 |
| Maine | $30,980 |
| Louisiana | $30,220 |
| Ohio | $29,920 |
| Nebraska | $29,820 |
| Nevada | $29,820 |
| Oregon | $29,750 |
| West Virginia | $29,480 |
| Iowa | $29,448 |
| South Dakota | $29,420 |
| Wisconsin | $29,360 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,840 |
| Tennessee | $28,530 |
| Arkansas | $28,380 |
| Texas | $28,100 |
| New Jersey | $27,570 |
| Utah | $27,000 |
| North Carolina | $26,400 |
| Montana | $23,110 |
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 about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than museum conservators but more than engravers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Museum conservator salary | $44K |
| Precious metal worker salary | $41K |
| Gem worker salary | $41K |
| Jeweler salary | $41K |
| Graphic designer salary | $39K |
| Photographer salary | $38K |
| Craft artist salary | $37K |
| Potter salary | $34K |
| Glass blower salary | $34K |
| Engraver salary | $31K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)