SOC 27-4021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Photographers — Boulder
Boulder, CO · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Photographers in Boulder, CO is $60,930 per year, well above the national median of $44,660.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Photographers in Boulder, CO is $60,930 per year, well above the national median of $44,660. The gap of 36.4% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $44,510 and $88,610. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,590 and the ninetieth at $99,990.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Fort Collins records the highest median at $62,550. Of the 414 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 251st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,590 | −11.4% |
| 25th | $44,510 | −0.3% |
| Median (50th) | $60,930 | +36.4% |
| 75th | $88,610 | +98.4% |
| 90th | $99,990 | +123.9% |
| Mean | $66,690 | +49.3% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins | $62,550 | 70 | |
| 2 | Denver | $47,340 | 620 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $42,110 | 120 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $42,020 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Boulder run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $60,930 buys what $59,098 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 32.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$59,098US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,930 a year, 36.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,590 to $99,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fort Collins, at $62,550.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Photographers in Boulder, CO?
The median annual wage is $60,930, or $29.29 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $44,660, so pay in Boulder, CO is 36.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Boulder, CO earns more than $99,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,590 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fort Collins, at $62,550 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Boulder, CO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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