Photographer Salary Overview
The Photographer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $42,140. Compensation typically ranges from $24,600 for entry-level positions to $80,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Photographer in the US earns between $24,600 and $80,200 per year, with a median of $42,140.
Photographer Salary by Experience
Entry-level photographers earn around $27,391, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $56,889 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $25,284 | $12/hr | $22,031 |
| Mid | $42,140 | $20/hr | $35,032 |
| Senior | $58,996 | $28/hr | $47,611 |
| Lead | $63,210 | $30/hr | $50,673 |
Photographer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Photographer in each US state.
Pay for photographers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,942 | $3,224 | $33,956 | 19.4% |
| Alaska | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| Arizona | $42,140 | $3,018 | $688 | $3,224 | $35,209 | 16.4% |
| Arkansas | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,628 | $3,224 | $34,270 | 18.7% |
| California | $42,140 | $3,018 | $866 | $3,224 | $35,032 | 16.9% |
| Colorado | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,194 | $3,224 | $34,704 | 17.6% |
| Connecticut | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,646 | $3,224 | $34,252 | 18.7% |
| Delaware | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,772 | $3,224 | $34,126 | 19.0% |
| District of Columbia | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,452 | $3,224 | $34,446 | 18.3% |
| Florida | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| Georgia | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,655 | $3,224 | $34,243 | 18.7% |
| Hawaii | $42,140 | $3,018 | $2,577 | $3,224 | $33,321 | 20.9% |
| Idaho | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,597 | $3,224 | $34,301 | 18.6% |
| Illinois | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,949 | $3,224 | $33,949 | 19.4% |
| Indiana | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,285 | $3,224 | $34,613 | 17.9% |
| Iowa | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,601 | $3,224 | $34,297 | 18.6% |
| Kansas | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,745 | $3,224 | $34,153 | 19.0% |
| Kentucky | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,559 | $3,224 | $34,339 | 18.5% |
| Louisiana | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,269 | $3,224 | $34,629 | 17.8% |
| Maine | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,611 | $3,224 | $34,287 | 18.6% |
| Maryland | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,828 | $3,224 | $34,070 | 19.2% |
| Massachusetts | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,887 | $3,224 | $34,011 | 19.3% |
| Michigan | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,553 | $3,224 | $34,345 | 18.5% |
| Minnesota | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,475 | $3,224 | $34,423 | 18.3% |
| Mississippi | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,402 | $3,224 | $34,496 | 18.1% |
| Missouri | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,152 | $3,224 | $34,746 | 17.5% |
| Montana | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,379 | $3,224 | $34,519 | 18.1% |
| Nebraska | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,008 | $3,224 | $34,890 | 17.2% |
| Nevada | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| New Hampshire | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| New Jersey | $42,140 | $3,018 | $836 | $3,224 | $35,062 | 16.8% |
| New Mexico | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,070 | $3,224 | $34,828 | 17.4% |
| New York | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,784 | $3,224 | $34,114 | 19.0% |
| North Carolina | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,323 | $3,224 | $34,575 | 18.0% |
| North Dakota | $42,140 | $3,018 | $537 | $3,224 | $35,361 | 16.1% |
| Ohio | $42,140 | $3,018 | $442 | $3,224 | $35,456 | 15.9% |
| Oklahoma | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,512 | $3,224 | $34,386 | 18.4% |
| Oregon | $42,140 | $3,018 | $3,162 | $3,224 | $32,736 | 22.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,294 | $3,224 | $34,604 | 17.9% |
| Rhode Island | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,185 | $3,224 | $34,713 | 17.6% |
| South Carolina | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,070 | $3,224 | $34,828 | 17.4% |
| South Dakota | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| Tennessee | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| Texas | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| Utah | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,960 | $3,224 | $33,938 | 19.5% |
| Vermont | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,176 | $3,224 | $34,722 | 17.6% |
| Virginia | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,907 | $3,224 | $33,991 | 19.3% |
| Washington | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
| West Virginia | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,341 | $3,224 | $34,557 | 18.0% |
| Wisconsin | $42,140 | $3,018 | $1,146 | $3,224 | $34,752 | 17.5% |
| Wyoming | $42,140 | $3,018 | $0 | $3,224 | $35,898 | 14.8% |
Top Cities for Photographer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for photographers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $46,354 |
| Hartford, CT | $46,354 |
| New York, NY | $46,354 |
| San Francisco, CA | $46,354 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $46,354 |
Calculate Photographer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Photographer
Becoming a photographer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Photographer Career Outlook
Employment of photographers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Photographer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for photographers in the US is $42,140, with a typical range from $24,600 to $80,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for photographers include DC, CT, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level photographers can expect to earn around $27,391 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a photographer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for photographers is approximately $20.26, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.