SOC 27-4021 · May 2025 · United States
Photographers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Photographers across the United States is $44,660 per year, measured over 51,760 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $110,970.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Photographers
Pay for this occupation varies by 238.2% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $110,970 and Arkansas pays $32,810.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $110,970 | 260 | |
| 2 | New York | $60,050 | 3,650 | |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $57,990 | 830 | |
| 4 | Oregon | $53,630 | 510 | |
| 5 | Utah | $52,140 | 660 | |
| 6 | Delaware | $50,100 | 180 | |
| 7 | Connecticut | $49,790 | 630 | |
| 8 | New Mexico | $48,090 | 230 | |
| 9 | Washington | $48,050 | 960 | |
| 10 | California | $47,840 | 7,980 |
States with the most Photographers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 7,980 | $47,840 | |
| 2 | Florida | 4,390 | $42,640 | |
| 3 | Texas | 4,330 | $41,280 | |
| 4 | New York | 3,650 | $60,050 | |
| 5 | Illinois | 2,150 | $36,570 | |
| 6 | North Carolina | 2,130 | $37,120 | |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 1,870 | $40,520 | |
| 8 | Virginia | 1,580 | $46,550 | |
| 9 | Ohio | 1,540 | $38,470 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | 1,460 | $40,520 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bend | $65,990 | 30 |
| 2 | Fort Collins | $62,550 | 70 |
| 3 | Boulder | $60,930 | 60 |
| 4 | Springfield | $60,430 | 40 |
| 5 | New York | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| 6 | Salt Lake City | $60,000 | 280 |
| 7 | Portland | $59,220 | 350 |
| 8 | San Francisco | $58,840 | 880 |
| 9 | Kiryas Joel | $58,050 | 150 |
| 10 | Charleston | $56,890 | 100 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.