Photographers Salary by State
The national median pay for photographers is $44,660 a year. By state, it ranges from $32,810 in Arkansas to $110,970 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $30,820
- 25th percentile
- $36,050
- Median
- $44,660
- 75th percentile
- $62,740
- Top 10%
- $91,810
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 51,760 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $110,970 | +148% | $46,080 | $148,360 | 260 |
| 2 | New York | $60,050 | +34% | $37,890 | $109,470 | 3,650 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $57,990 | +30% | $38,480 | $112,760 | 830 |
| 4 | Oregon | $53,630 | +20% | $37,010 | $110,380 | 510 |
| 5 | Utah | $52,140 | +17% | $31,440 | $81,070 | 660 |
| 6 | Delaware | $50,100 | +12% | $32,980 | $71,170 | 180 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $49,790 | +11% | $34,010 | $79,880 | 630 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $48,090 | +8% | $34,800 | $79,780 | 230 |
| 9 | Washington | $48,050 | +8% | $37,440 | $83,200 | 960 |
| 10 | California | $47,840 | +7% | $36,470 | $125,490 | 7,980 |
| 11 | Kentucky | $47,170 | +6% | $23,990 | $76,490 | 380 |
| 12 | Colorado | $47,070 | +5% | $36,440 | $92,200 | 1,140 |
| 13 | Maine | $46,680 | +5% | $33,270 | $79,230 | 180 |
| 14 | Virginia | $46,550 | +4% | $31,200 | $91,060 | 1,580 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $46,470 | +4% | $36,890 | $84,530 | 730 |
| 16 | Maryland | $46,450 | +4% | $31,200 | $93,660 | 790 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $45,960 | +3% | $30,800 | $105,820 | 440 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $45,860 | +3% | $24,030 | $65,370 | 190 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $45,330 | +2% | $31,150 | $54,750 | 190 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $44,780 | 0% | $22,110 | $76,570 | 220 |
| 21 | Georgia | $43,770 | −2% | $22,690 | $103,550 | 1,420 |
| 22 | Florida | $42,640 | −5% | $29,990 | $80,400 | 4,390 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $42,060 | −6% | $31,540 | $80,550 | 850 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $41,920 | −6% | $28,080 | $71,150 | 220 |
| 25 | Texas | $41,280 | −8% | $24,910 | $62,720 | 4,330 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $40,520 | −9% | $34,990 | $91,780 | 1,460 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $40,520 | −9% | $29,020 | $75,100 | 1,870 |
| 28 | Montana | $39,900 | −11% | $24,070 | $110,570 | 190 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $39,330 | −12% | $28,430 | $70,290 | 50 |
| 30 | Alaska | $39,190 | −12% | $34,040 | $101,430 | 50 |
| 31 | Missouri | $39,170 | −12% | $29,600 | $74,530 | 950 |
| 32 | Ohio | $38,470 | −14% | $23,670 | $80,990 | 1,540 |
| 33 | Iowa | $38,290 | −14% | $15,080 | $77,830 | 430 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $37,950 | −15% | $28,820 | $67,060 | 780 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $37,890 | −15% | $26,480 | $71,810 | 630 |
| 36 | Kansas | $37,790 | −15% | $29,340 | $72,380 | 300 |
| 37 | Nevada | $37,460 | −16% | $26,610 | $57,640 | 890 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $37,410 | −16% | $35,350 | $71,500 | 70 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $37,300 | −16% | $34,600 | $76,810 | 220 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $37,120 | −17% | $28,330 | $76,060 | 2,130 |
| 41 | Arizona | $36,970 | −17% | $32,080 | $84,130 | 1,360 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $36,830 | −18% | $19,180 | $70,310 | 510 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $36,750 | −18% | $17,210 | $63,370 | 330 |
| 44 | Illinois | $36,570 | −18% | $31,200 | $96,770 | 2,150 |
| 45 | Alabama | $36,130 | −19% | $24,590 | $72,550 | 530 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $36,110 | −19% | $29,130 | $57,510 | 110 |
| 47 | Indiana | $35,960 | −19% | $24,960 | $59,350 | 810 |
| 48 | Idaho | $33,320 | −25% | $22,470 | $53,790 | 190 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $32,810 | −27% | $24,890 | $43,950 | 240 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Photographers salary questions
Which state pays photographers the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $110,970 a year (+148% vs. the national median of $44,660). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays photographers the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $32,810 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most photographers work?
California has the most jobs, about 7,980, with a median of $47,840.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.