Photographers Salary (2025)
Based on 51,760 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $30,820 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $36,050 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $44,660 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $62,740 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $91,810 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$31K
25th
$36K
Median
$45K
75th
$63K
90th
$92K
Highest Paying States for Photographers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $104,630 |
| New York | $71,710 |
| Massachusetts | $71,300 |
| California | $70,040 |
| Oregon | $69,290 |
| New Mexico | $58,220 |
| Colorado | $58,170 |
| Maryland | $57,560 |
| Georgia | $57,260 |
| Connecticut | $57,250 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Photographers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $104,630 per year, while Connecticut has an average of $57,250 — a difference of $47,380. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Photographers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 51,760 workers were employed as Photographerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. The annual mean wage of $55,410 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 27-4021