Photographers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 27-4021As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for photographers in the United States is $44,660 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Pay ranges from $30,820 at the 10th percentile to $91,810 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators) has a median of £30,396 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Heading for a US interview? Interview prep guides cover the standard question frameworks.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,820 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $36,050 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $44,660 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $62,740 | Experienced |
| 90th | $91,810 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | $104,630 | 260 |
| New York | $60,050 | $71,710 | 4,000 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | $71,300 | 830 |
| Oregon | $53,630 | $69,290 | 510 |
| Utah | $52,140 | $51,290 | 660 |
| Delaware | $50,100 | $51,040 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | $57,250 | 630 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 | $58,220 | 230 |
| Washington | $48,050 | $56,270 | 960 |
| California | $47,840 | $70,040 | 8,000 |
| Kentucky | $47,170 | $49,990 | 380 |
| Colorado | $47,070 | $58,170 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $46,680 | $52,320 | 180 |
| Virginia | $46,550 | $52,640 | 2,000 |
| Minnesota | $46,470 | $56,220 | 730 |
| Maryland | $46,450 | $57,560 | 790 |
| Hawaii | $45,960 | $57,030 | 440 |
| Mississippi | $45,860 | $45,970 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $45,330 | $43,740 | 190 |
| New Hampshire | $44,780 | $49,740 | 220 |
| Georgia | $43,770 | $57,260 | 1,000 |
| Florida | $42,640 | $52,130 | 4,000 |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 | $49,640 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $41,920 | $47,070 | 220 |
| Texas | $41,280 | $43,720 | 4,000 |
| New Jersey | $40,520 | $53,410 | 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 | $49,190 | 2,000 |
| Montana | $39,900 | $49,120 | 190 |
| Wyoming | $39,330 | $44,960 | 50 |
| Alaska | $39,190 | $50,090 | 50 |
| Missouri | $39,170 | $47,380 | 950 |
| Ohio | $38,470 | $46,780 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $38,290 | $42,860 | 430 |
| Tennessee | $37,950 | $44,060 | 780 |
| South Carolina | $37,890 | $44,380 | 630 |
| Kansas | $37,790 | $44,120 | 300 |
| Nevada | $37,460 | $41,360 | 890 |
| North Dakota | $37,410 | $45,730 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $37,300 | $49,440 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $37,120 | $47,540 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $36,970 | $47,330 | 1,000 |
| Louisiana | $36,830 | $43,530 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 | $40,300 | 330 |
| Illinois | $36,570 | $50,600 | 2,000 |
| Alabama | $36,130 | $43,480 | 530 |
| West Virginia | $36,110 | $41,220 | 110 |
| Indiana | $35,960 | $40,650 | 810 |
| Puerto Rico | $34,060 | $35,150 | 90 |
| Idaho | $33,320 | $37,950 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $32,810 | $34,700 | 240 |
Recommended Gear & Prep
Many people pair this data with a salary negotiation guide before accepting an offer.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-07-18