Photographer Salary in 2026
Photographers capture images for commercial, editorial, and artistic purposes using professional cameras and editing software. They specialize in areas like portraits, events, or products.
Median Salary
$44,660
$3,722/mo
Entry Level
$29,400
starting pay
Senior Level
$72,100
experienced
Job Growth
-4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Photographers (SOC 27-4021) at a national median of $44,660 per year (mean $55,410), or $21.47 per hour, with 51,760 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Photographer Overview
Photographers capture images for commercial, editorial, and artistic purposes using professional cameras and editing software. They specialize in areas like portraits, events, or products.
Education
No Formal Requirement
Experience
1-3 years portfolio
Industry
Creative
Total Jobs (US)
52K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Creative
Hourly Rate
$21.47/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,722
Photographer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Photographer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Photographer Salary
$58,000
$4,833/month · $2,231/biweekly · $27.88/hr
Photographer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Photographer field.
Entry-level Photographers earn around $29,400, while the top 10% earn $83,250 or more.
Top Paying States for Photographers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $53,000 | +$8,340 |
| New York | $51,000 | +$6,340 |
| Illinois | $46,000 | +$1,340 |
| Florida | $44,000 | $-660 |
| Texas | $44,000 | $-660 |
Top Paying Cities for Photographers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $53,000 | +$8,340 |
| Los Angeles | $50,000 | +$5,340 |
| Chicago | $47,000 | +$2,340 |
| Miami | $46,000 | +$1,340 |
| Austin | $46,000 | +$1,340 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Photographer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Photographer from entry level to expert.
$29,400
0-2 years
$51,000
3-7 years
$72,100
8-14 years
$94,400
15+ years
Related Creative Jobs
Photographer Salary FAQ
How much does a Photographer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Photographer in the United States is $44,660 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Photographers (SOC 27-4021); the mean is $55,410. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $29,400, senior professionals around $72,100, and top earners at $94,400 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Photographer?
A Photographer typically requires a No Formal Requirement with 1-3 years portfolio of experience. Key skills include Lighting, Composition, Lightroom. Relevant certifications such as CPP Certification or Photography Degree can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Photographers?
The job market for Photographers is projected to grow by -4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 52K Photographer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Photographers the most?
The highest-paying states for Photographers include California, New York, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $53,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Photographer salary?
To increase your Photographer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Lighting and Composition. Pursue certifications such as CPP Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 1-3 years portfolio of experience, you can progress from $29,400 to $72,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Photographer Salary
How we calculate Photographer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Photographers (SOC 27-4021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $44,660, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Photographers; BLS mean $55,410; BLS hourly median $21.47.
- Entry-level ($29,400) and senior-level ($72,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: -4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 51,760 Photographers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Creative sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: No Formal Requirement, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $44,660; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Photographer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Photographer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Creative
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Photographer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Lighting, Composition, Lightroom), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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