How much does a photographer make?
The median photographer in the United States earns $42,520 per year, about $20.44 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all photographers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 27-4021.
Photographer salary range
Pay for photographers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,610 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $94,760. The average (mean) wage of $55,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,610 | $14.23 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $34,790 | $16.73 | |
| Median (50th) | $42,520 | $20.44 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,370 | $29.99 | |
| 90th percentile | $94,760 | $45.56 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for photographers (SOC 27-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Photographer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Photographers earn the most in District of Columbia at $110,530 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $33,850. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,530 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $60,610 | 1,170 |
| New York | $57,700 | 3,620 |
| Oregon | $55,640 | 570 |
| Minnesota | $54,650 | 530 |
| New Jersey | $50,760 | 1,280 |
| California | $50,610 | 7,300 |
| Delaware | $50,040 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $49,740 | 410 |
| Connecticut | $48,260 | 490 |
| New Hampshire | $48,180 | 180 |
| Utah | $47,610 | 650 |
| Hawaii | $45,440 | 450 |
| Maryland | $44,890 | 870 |
| Mississippi | $44,660 | 190 |
| Maine | $44,610 | 170 |
| Washington | $44,580 | 1,260 |
| Colorado | $43,560 | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $43,180 | 1,360 |
| Kentucky | $42,000 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | 210 |
| Georgia | $40,050 | 1,950 |
| Wyoming | $39,700 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,640 | 2,000 |
| Wisconsin | $39,440 | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $39,020 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $38,400 | 1,620 |
| Florida | $38,230 | 4,450 |
| Arizona | $38,210 | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $37,920 | 360 |
| Missouri | $37,280 | 810 |
| Indiana | $37,270 | 870 |
| Idaho | $36,900 | 170 |
| Texas | $36,760 | 3,780 |
| Iowa | $36,380 | 370 |
| Alaska | $36,190 | 50 |
| Montana | $36,180 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 | 1,090 |
| Kansas | $35,930 | 270 |
| Nevada | $35,560 | 790 |
| West Virginia | $35,470 | 120 |
| South Dakota | $35,150 | 100 |
| Alabama | $35,140 | 490 |
| North Dakota | $35,090 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $34,870 | 590 |
| Illinois | $34,600 | 2,530 |
| Ohio | $33,990 | 1,970 |
| Arkansas | $33,850 | 240 |
State median wages for photographers (SOC 27-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for photographers
The BLS projects employment of photographers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 145,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 144,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,700 openings a year for photographers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a photographer
The typical entry-level education for photographers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a photographer earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $110,530) and the lowest (Arkansas, $33,850) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 51,230 people work as photographers in the United States. At $42,520 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Photographer salary FAQ
How much does a photographer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a photographer is $20.44. The middle half of photographers earn between $16.73 and $29.99 per hour.
What is the highest photographer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of photographers earn more than $94,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a photographer make a year?
The median annual salary for a photographer is $42,520. The average (mean) wage of $55,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a photographer a well paid job?
At $42,520 a year, a photographer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 51,230 people work as photographers in the United States.
Which state pays photographers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for photographers at $110,530 a year. Massachusetts ($60,610) and New York ($57,700) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a photographer a good career?
Employment of photographers is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a photographer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for photographers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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