Photographer earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level photographer earnings begin at:

$43.79 per hour

$91,070 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level photographer earnings begin at:

$36.21 per hour

$75,320 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level photographer earnings begin at:

$22.99 per hour

$47,810 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level photographer earnings begin at:

$17.10 per hour

$35,570 per year

10th percentile

Starting level photographer earnings begin at:

$12.03 per hour

$25,030 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 7% less than similar careers in Minnesota. On average, they make less than film directors but more than calligraphers.

Career Median Salary
Film director salary $66K
Industrial designer salary $65K
Multimedia animator salary $60K
Interior designer salary $56K
Illustrator salary $56K
Photographer salary $48K
Graphic designer salary $50K
Exhibit designer salary $49K
Fashion designer salary $52K
Calligrapher salary $47K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)