Photographer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Photographers Make?
Photographers earn a median annual salary of $42,520 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,610 at the 10th percentile to $94,760 at the 90th percentile — a range of $65,150. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $110,530.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,610 |
| 25th percentile | $34,790 |
| Median (50th) | $42,520 |
| 75th percentile | $62,370 |
| 90th percentile | $94,760 |
Photographer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $110,530 |
| Massachusetts | $60,610 |
| New York | $57,700 |
| Oregon | $55,640 |
| Minnesota | $54,650 |
| New Jersey | $50,760 |
| California | $50,610 |
| Delaware | $50,040 |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 |
| Louisiana | $49,740 |
| Connecticut | $48,260 |
| New Hampshire | $48,180 |
| Utah | $47,610 |
| Hawaii | $45,440 |
| Maryland | $44,890 |
| Mississippi | $44,660 |
| Maine | $44,610 |
| Washington | $44,580 |
| Colorado | $43,560 |
| Virginia | $43,180 |
| Kentucky | $42,000 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 |
| Georgia | $40,050 |
| Wyoming | $39,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,640 |
| Wisconsin | $39,440 |
| Nebraska | $39,020 |
| North Carolina | $38,400 |
| Florida | $38,230 |
| Arizona | $38,210 |
| Oklahoma | $37,920 |
| Missouri | $37,280 |
| Indiana | $37,270 |
| Idaho | $36,900 |
| Texas | $36,760 |
| Iowa | $36,380 |
| Alaska | $36,190 |
| Montana | $36,180 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 |
| Kansas | $35,930 |
| Nevada | $35,560 |
| West Virginia | $35,470 |
| South Dakota | $35,150 |
| Alabama | $35,140 |
| North Dakota | $35,090 |
| South Carolina | $34,870 |
| Illinois | $34,600 |
| Ohio | $33,990 |
| Arkansas | $33,850 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Photographers
Photographer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,610 – $34,790 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$42,520 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$62,370 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $94,760+ |
How to Earn More as a Photographer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Photographers in District of Columbia earn $110,530 — $68,010 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($62,370) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Photographer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Photographerthis career | $42,520 |
| Art Director | $111,040 |
| Craft Artist | $38,480 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator | $60,560 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animator | $99,800 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 27-4021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.