SOC 27-4021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Photographers — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Photographers in San Diego, CA is $44,030 per year, close to the national median of $44,660 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Photographers in San Diego, CA is $44,030 per year, close to the national median of $44,660 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $36,860 and $60,980. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,670 and the ninetieth at $74,500.
The area has 620 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $58,840. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 586th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,670 | −17.9% |
| 25th | $36,860 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $44,030 | −1.4% |
| 75th | $60,980 | +36.5% |
| 90th | $74,500 | +66.8% |
| Mean | $60,580 | +35.6% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $58,840 | 880 | |
| 2 | Bakersfield | $56,220 | 60 | |
| 3 | Santa Maria | $55,220 | 60 | |
| 4 | San Jose | $52,470 | 210 | |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $50,500 | 60 | |
| 6 | San Luis Obispo | $48,790 | 40 | |
| 7 | Los Angeles | $47,840 | 4,290 | |
| 8 | Stockton | $46,620 | 40 | |
| 9 | Sacramento | $45,880 | 290 | |
| 10 | Modesto | $44,240 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $44,030 buys what $39,774 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,774US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,030 a year, 1.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,670 to $74,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 620 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $58,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Photographers in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $44,030, or $21.17 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 San Diego, CA is 1.4% lower. 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 San Diego, CA earns more than $74,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,670 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 San Francisco, at $58,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 620 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. 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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