27 Series · SOC 27-4021
Photographers Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $44,660
- Median / year
- +5%
- 2024→2025
- $91,810
- Top 10% earn
- +1.8%
- Growth '24–'34
- 51,760
- Estimated US jobs
Photographers earn a median of $44,660 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $44,660, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $30,820 (10th percentile) to $91,810 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 51,760 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is District of Columbia ($110,970).
The pay verdict
Photographers earn a median of $44,660, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 19% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media, it ranks #33 of 36 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.8% by 2034.
- $44,660
- Median annual wage
- Top 81%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #33 of 36
- in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- 3.0×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: District of Columbia at $110,970. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Photographers moved from $36,280 in May 2019 to $44,660 in May 2025 (+23.1%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Photographers sits -1.4 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Photographers (SOC 27-4021) has a national median of $44,660 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $30,820 to $91,810, and the published mean is $55,410. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 51,760 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 50 state or territory areas and 200 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $42,520 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $44,660 in May 2025, a rise of $2,140 (+5%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.8% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as about as fast as average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 12,700 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns High school diploma or equivalent as typical education needed for entry, and BLS classifies its typical on-the-job preparation as moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. District of Columbia pays the highest state median at $110,970, which is +148% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Bend, OR at $65,990, a small-sample estimate from fewer than 100 workers. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
Median Salary
$44,660
per year
Median Hourly
$21.47/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$55,410
average
Employment
51,760
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Photographers pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$44,660 Bottom 19% higher than 19% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 (this entry) | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$44,660 · 19th percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 27-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Photographers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Public Relations Spe…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.8%, Median annual wage $74750
- Coaches and Scouts: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $47320
- Graphic Designers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.1%, Median annual wage $62960
- Merchandise Displaye…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.2%, Median annual wage $39390
- Producers and Direct…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.9%, Median annual wage $90360
- Editors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.6%, Median annual wage $77920
- Interior Designers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.2%, Median annual wage $67190
- Audio and Video Tech…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.3%, Median annual wage $58100
- Art Directors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.2%, Median annual wage $114850
- Interpreters and Tra…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.7%, Median annual wage $60170
- Photographers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.8%, Median annual wage $44660
- Writers and Authors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.6%, Median annual wage $76910
- Technical Writers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.9%, Median annual wage $90390
- Floral Designers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -5.9%, Median annual wage $37360
- News Analysts, Repor…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -3.9%, Median annual wage $62200
- Commercial and Indus…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.2%, Median annual wage $83910
- Film and Video Editors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4%, Median annual wage $75420
- Camera Operators, Te…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.2%, Median annual wage $74990
- Fashion Designers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2%, Median annual wage $80960
- Broadcast Announcers…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -5.5%, Median annual wage $47340
- Broadcast Technicians: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -2.8%, Median annual wage $59570
- Special Effects Arti…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.6%, Median annual wage $102030
- Media and Communicat…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.7%, Median annual wage $73620
- Umpires, Referees, a…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.7%, Median annual wage $40710
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+1.8%
About as fast as average
Annual Openings
12,700
per year (projected)
Employment Change
+2,800
151,200 (2024) → 154,000 (2034)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
0.6/100K
Injury Rate
0.5/100
Danger Index
2.3/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Photographers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- ▸ Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- ▸ Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- ▸ Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
- ▸ Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- ▸ Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
- ▸ Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
- ▸ Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
- ▸ Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
- ▸ Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Photographers pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $31,710 |
| 2016 | $34,070 |
| 2017 | $32,490 |
| 2018 | $34,000 |
| 2019 | $36,280 |
| 2020 | $41,280 |
| 2021 | $38,950 |
| 2022 | $40,170 |
| 2023 | $40,760 |
| 2024 | $42,520 |
| 2025 | $44,660 |
2015 median
$31,710
2025 median
$44,660
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$8,380 (+23.1%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+3.5%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $31,710 | First banked release | 50,070 |
| May 2016 | $34,070 | +7.4% | 48,660 |
| May 2017 | $32,490 | -4.6% | 49,320 |
| May 2018 | $34,000 | +4.6% | 49,560 |
| May 2019 | $36,280 | Classification break | 50,620 |
| May 2020 | $41,280 | +13.8% | 41,600 |
| May 2021 | $38,950 | -5.6% | 38,420 |
| May 2022 | $40,170 | +3.1% | 47,380 |
| May 2023 | $40,760 | +1.5% | 53,630 |
| May 2024 | $42,520 | +4.3% | 51,230 |
| May 2025 | $44,660 | +5.0% | 51,760 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $31,710 in May 2015 to $44,660 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +3.5% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 50,620 in May 2019 to 51,760 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 50 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $110,970 | +148% above national |
| 2 | New York | $60,050 | +34% above national |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $57,990 | +30% above national |
| 4 | Oregon | $53,630 | +20% above national |
| 5 | Utah | $52,140 | +17% above national |
| 6 | Delaware | $50,100 | +12% above national |
| 7 | Connecticut | $49,790 | +11% above national |
| 8 | New Mexico | $48,090 | +8% above national |
| 9 | Washington | $48,050 | +8% above national |
| 10 | California | $47,840 | +7% above national |
| 11 | Kentucky | $47,170 | +6% above national |
| 12 | Colorado | $47,070 | +5% above national |
| 13 | Maine | $46,680 | +5% above national |
| 14 | Virginia | $46,550 | +4% above national |
| 15 | Minnesota | $46,470 | +4% above national |
| 16 | Maryland | $46,450 | +4% above national |
| 17 | Hawaii | $45,960 | +3% above national |
| 18 | Mississippi | $45,860 | +3% above national |
| 19 | South Dakota | $45,330 | +2% above national |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $44,780 | same as national |
| 21 | Georgia | $43,770 | 2% below national |
| 22 | Florida | $42,640 | 5% below national |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $42,060 | 6% below national |
| 24 | Nebraska | $41,920 | 6% below national |
| 25 | Texas | $41,280 | 8% below national |
| 26 | New Jersey | $40,520 | 9% below national |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $40,520 | 9% below national |
| 28 | Montana | $39,900 | 11% below national |
| 29 | Wyoming Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $39,330 | 12% below national |
| 30 | Alaska Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $39,190 | 12% below national |
| 31 | Missouri | $39,170 | 12% below national |
| 32 | Ohio | $38,470 | 14% below national |
| 33 | Iowa | $38,290 | 14% below national |
| 34 | Tennessee | $37,950 | 15% below national |
| 35 | South Carolina | $37,890 | 15% below national |
| 36 | Kansas | $37,790 | 15% below national |
| 37 | Nevada | $37,460 | 16% below national |
| 38 | North Dakota Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,410 | 16% below national |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $37,300 | 16% below national |
| 40 | North Carolina | $37,120 | 17% below national |
| 41 | Arizona | $36,970 | 17% below national |
| 42 | Louisiana | $36,830 | 18% below national |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $36,750 | 18% below national |
| 44 | Illinois | $36,570 | 18% below national |
| 45 | Alabama | $36,130 | 19% below national |
| 46 | West Virginia | $36,110 | 19% below national |
| 47 | Indiana | $35,960 | 19% below national |
| 48 | Puerto Rico Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $34,060 | 24% below national |
| 49 | Idaho | $33,320 | 25% below national |
| 50 | Arkansas | $32,810 | 27% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.9% under 100 workers against 2.3% at 100 or more (May 2025 state estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
Lowest Paying Metros
View all 175 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bend, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $65,990 | +48% above national |
| 2 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,550 | +40% above national |
| 3 | Boulder, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,930 | +36% above national |
| 4 | Springfield, MA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,430 | +35% above national |
| 5 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | +34% above national |
| 6 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $60,000 | +34% above national |
| 7 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,220 | +33% above national |
| 8 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $58,840 | +32% above national |
| 9 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | +30% above national |
| 10 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $56,890 | +27% above national |
| 11 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $56,220 | +26% above national |
| 12 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,220 | +24% above national |
| 13 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $55,020 | +23% above national |
| 14 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | +22% above national |
| 15 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $54,260 | +21% above national |
| 16 | Springfield, MO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $52,510 | +18% above national |
| 17 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,470 | +17% above national |
| 18 | Montgomery, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $52,160 | +17% above national |
| 19 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $51,870 | +16% above national |
| 20 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,790 | +16% above national |
| 21 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $51,410 | +15% above national |
| 22 | New Haven, CT | $51,000 | +14% above national |
| 23 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $50,940 | +14% above national |
| 24 | Santa Fe, NM Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,670 | +13% above national |
| 25 | Manchester-Nashua, NH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,620 | +13% above national |
| 26 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,500 | +13% above national |
| 27 | Worcester, MA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,170 | +12% above national |
| 28 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $50,060 | +12% above national |
| 29 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | +12% above national |
| 30 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $49,980 | +12% above national |
| 31 | Naples-Marco Island, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,760 | +11% above national |
| 32 | Syracuse, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,560 | +11% above national |
| 33 | Savannah, GA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,110 | +10% above national |
| 34 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,790 | +9% above national |
| 35 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $48,670 | +9% above national |
| 36 | Reno, NV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,670 | +9% above national |
| 37 | Albuquerque, NM | $48,090 | +8% above national |
| 38 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,920 | +7% above national |
| 39 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,870 | +7% above national |
| 40 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,840 | +7% above national |
| 41 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $47,720 | +7% above national |
| 42 | Jackson, MS Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,500 | +6% above national |
| 43 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $47,340 | +6% above national |
| 44 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,300 | +6% above national |
| 45 | Lexington-Fayette, KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,170 | +6% above national |
| 46 | Anchorage, AK Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,040 | +5% above national |
| 47 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,960 | +5% above national |
| 48 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,880 | +5% above national |
| 49 | Stockton-Lodi, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,620 | +4% above national |
| 50 | Jacksonville, FL | $46,540 | +4% above national |
| 51 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,540 | +4% above national |
| 52 | Richmond, VA | $46,420 | +4% above national |
| 53 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,410 | +4% above national |
| 54 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,270 | +4% above national |
| 55 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $46,170 | +3% above national |
| 56 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,880 | +3% above national |
| 57 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,760 | +2% above national |
| 58 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,690 | +2% above national |
| 59 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $45,380 | +2% above national |
| 60 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $45,300 | +1% above national |
| 61 | Omaha, NE-IA | $45,160 | +1% above national |
| 62 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,040 | +1% above national |
| 63 | Corpus Christi, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,000 | +1% above national |
| 64 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | +1% above national |
| 65 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $44,940 | +1% above national |
| 66 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,840 | same as national |
| 67 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $44,530 | same as national |
| 68 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,480 | same as national |
| 69 | Waco, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,300 | 1% below national |
| 70 | Charlottesville, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,290 | 1% below national |
| 71 | Modesto, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,240 | 1% below national |
| 72 | Lubbock, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,230 | 1% below national |
| 73 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $44,030 | 1% below national |
| 74 | Bozeman, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,020 | 1% below national |
| 75 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,970 | 2% below national |
| 76 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,940 | 2% below national |
| 77 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,870 | 2% below national |
| 78 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $43,750 | 2% below national |
| 79 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 2% below national |
| 80 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,710 | 2% below national |
| 81 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,550 | 2% below national |
| 82 | Tucson, AZ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,360 | 3% below national |
| 83 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,100 | 3% below national |
| 84 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,060 | 4% below national |
| 85 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 4% below national |
| 86 | Madison, WI | $43,040 | 4% below national |
| 87 | Vallejo, CA | $43,040 | 4% below national |
| 88 | Kingston, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,960 | 4% below national |
| 89 | Bowling Green, KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,540 | 5% below national |
| 90 | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 5% below national |
| 91 | Reading, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,430 | 5% below national |
| 92 | Rochester, NY | $42,260 | 5% below national |
| 93 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 5% below national |
| 94 | Colorado Springs, CO | $42,110 | 6% below national |
| 95 | Cleveland, OH | $42,090 | 6% below national |
| 96 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $42,080 | 6% below national |
| 97 | Greeley, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,020 | 6% below national |
| 98 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $41,840 | 6% below national |
| 99 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $41,750 | 7% below national |
| 100 | Baton Rouge, LA | $41,690 | 7% below national |
| 101 | Columbus, OH | $41,390 | 7% below national |
| 102 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,280 | 8% below national |
| 103 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $41,130 | 8% below national |
| 104 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $41,020 | 8% below national |
| 105 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $40,910 | 8% below national |
| 106 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $40,580 | 9% below national |
| 107 | York-Hanover, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $40,240 | 10% below national |
| 108 | Rapid City, SD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $39,780 | 11% below national |
| 109 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $39,730 | 11% below national |
| 110 | Roanoke, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $39,710 | 11% below national |
| 111 | Lincoln, NE Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $39,540 | 11% below national |
| 112 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $39,260 | 12% below national |
| 113 | Oklahoma City, OK | $39,200 | 12% below national |
| 114 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $39,190 | 12% below national |
| 115 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,170 | 12% below national |
| 116 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,970 | 13% below national |
| 117 | Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 13% below national |
| 118 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,510 | 14% below national |
| 119 | Birmingham, AL | $38,390 | 14% below national |
| 120 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $38,320 | 14% below national |
| 121 | Fargo, ND-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $38,210 | 14% below national |
| 122 | Green Bay, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $38,080 | 15% below national |
| 123 | Kennewick-Richland, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $38,010 | 15% below national |
| 124 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $37,780 | 15% below national |
| 125 | Wilmington, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,690 | 16% below national |
| 126 | Lancaster, PA | $37,600 | 16% below national |
| 127 | Fresno, CA | $37,520 | 16% below national |
| 128 | Ann Arbor, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,510 | 16% below national |
| 129 | Mobile, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,490 | 16% below national |
| 130 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,360 | 16% below national |
| 131 | Cedar Rapids, IA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,190 | 17% below national |
| 132 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 17% below national |
| 133 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $36,970 | 17% below national |
| 134 | Spartanburg, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,950 | 17% below national |
| 135 | Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 17% below national |
| 136 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $36,880 | 17% below national |
| 137 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 18% below national |
| 138 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 18% below national |
| 139 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,790 | 18% below national |
| 140 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,670 | 18% below national |
| 141 | El Paso, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,650 | 18% below national |
| 142 | Canton-Massillon, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,580 | 18% below national |
| 143 | Billings, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,360 | 19% below national |
| 144 | Rockford, IL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,360 | 19% below national |
| 145 | Wichita, KS Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,300 | 19% below national |
| 146 | Knoxville, TN | $36,240 | 19% below national |
| 147 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $36,180 | 19% below national |
| 148 | Akron, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,100 | 19% below national |
| 149 | Port St. Lucie, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $36,090 | 19% below national |
| 150 | Columbia, SC | $36,060 | 19% below national |
| 151 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,920 | 20% below national |
| 152 | Toledo, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,810 | 20% below national |
| 153 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,630 | 20% below national |
| 154 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,610 | 20% below national |
| 155 | Gainesville, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,550 | 20% below national |
| 156 | Peoria, IL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,510 | 20% below national |
| 157 | Evansville, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,420 | 21% below national |
| 158 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,410 | 21% below national |
| 159 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 21% below national |
| 160 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,380 | 21% below national |
| 161 | Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 21% below national |
| 162 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $34,950 | 22% below national |
| 163 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $34,860 | 22% below national |
| 164 | Fayetteville, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $34,560 | 23% below national |
| 165 | Tyler, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $34,130 | 24% below national |
| 166 | Flagstaff, AZ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $34,010 | 24% below national |
| 167 | Tallahassee, FL | $34,010 | 24% below national |
| 168 | Ogden, UT | $33,860 | 24% below national |
| 169 | Chattanooga, TN-GA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $33,600 | 25% below national |
| 170 | Boise City, ID | $33,320 | 25% below national |
| 171 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $32,780 | 27% below national |
| 172 | Huntsville, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $31,200 | 30% below national |
| 173 | Lafayette, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $30,450 | 32% below national |
| 174 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $28,110 | 37% below national |
| 175 | Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | 40% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.4% under 100 workers against 2.1% at 100 or more (May 2025 metro estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 27 (Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Actors
SOC 27-2011
Art Directors
SOC 27-1011
Artists and Related Workers, All Other
SOC 27-1019
Athletes and Sports Competitors
SOC 27-2021
Audio and Video Technicians
SOC 27-4011
Showing 5 of 40 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($44,660 here) and reported employment (51,760 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What to do with this data
How to use Photographers pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $62,740/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: District of Columbia leads at $110,970/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.