Photographers Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 48 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Photographers Salary in All 50 States
Compare Photographers pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $60,610 | $68,190 | $38,380 | $102,760 | 1,170 |
| New York | $57,700 | $69,860 | $35,380 | $123,540 | 3,620 |
| Oregon | $55,640 | $69,100 | $36,200 | $104,290 | 570 |
| Minnesota | $54,650 | $58,910 | $31,730 | $90,500 | 530 |
| New Jersey | $50,760 | $60,280 | $33,880 | $94,550 | 1,280 |
| California | $50,610 | $76,230 | $35,750 | $131,250 | 7,300 |
| Delaware | $50,040 | $50,540 | $29,430 | $68,550 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | $51,770 | $33,430 | $74,960 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $49,740 | $54,800 | $26,830 | $107,140 | 410 |
| Connecticut | $48,260 | $55,270 | $37,150 | $86,690 | 490 |
| New Hampshire | $48,180 | $52,480 | $20,890 | $72,800 | 180 |
| Utah | $47,610 | $51,740 | $31,330 | $75,610 | 650 |
| Hawaii | $45,440 | $55,760 | $31,200 | $71,370 | 450 |
| Maryland | $44,890 | $55,250 | $33,060 | $89,040 | 870 |
| Mississippi | $44,660 | $44,690 | $28,810 | $63,420 | 190 |
| Maine | $44,610 | $50,820 | $34,240 | $75,590 | 170 |
| Washington | $44,580 | $52,210 | $35,690 | $80,080 | 1,260 |
| Colorado | $43,560 | $51,780 | $32,160 | $78,590 | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $43,180 | $53,030 | $29,120 | $94,040 | 1,360 |
| Kentucky | $42,000 | $42,160 | $21,310 | $63,930 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | $59,560 | $31,220 | $145,580 | 210 |
| Georgia | $40,050 | $51,100 | $20,200 | $81,500 | 1,950 |
| Wyoming | $39,700 | $45,220 | $30,000 | $64,300 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,640 | $49,800 | $28,530 | $73,220 | 2,000 |
| Wisconsin | $39,440 | $49,940 | $30,720 | $79,690 | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $39,020 | $46,580 | $28,120 | $72,370 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $38,400 | $51,200 | $28,410 | $76,380 | 1,620 |
| Florida | $38,230 | $55,520 | $29,840 | $92,660 | 4,450 |
| Arizona | $38,210 | $49,190 | $31,000 | $97,130 | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $37,920 | $40,570 | $20,120 | $60,320 | 360 |
| Missouri | $37,280 | $48,380 | $29,020 | $83,970 | 810 |
| Indiana | $37,270 | $41,450 | $26,940 | $60,100 | 870 |
| Idaho | $36,900 | $45,470 | $29,910 | $75,810 | 170 |
| Texas | $36,760 | $40,210 | $21,150 | $60,530 | 3,780 |
| Iowa | $36,380 | $40,120 | $15,080 | $74,000 | 370 |
| Alaska | $36,190 | $42,250 | $34,840 | $52,240 | 50 |
| Montana | $36,180 | $51,400 | $22,820 | $120,640 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 | $42,040 | $27,520 | $64,220 | 1,090 |
| Kansas | $35,930 | $39,030 | $29,100 | $57,570 | 270 |
| Nevada | $35,560 | $42,450 | $26,790 | $67,870 | 790 |
| West Virginia | $35,470 | $36,040 | $28,120 | $47,620 | 120 |
| South Dakota | $35,150 | $39,420 | $30,950 | $58,460 | 100 |
| Alabama | $35,140 | $43,360 | $23,760 | $71,340 | 490 |
| North Dakota | $35,090 | $41,470 | $30,650 | $54,950 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $34,870 | $39,700 | $18,770 | $64,080 | 590 |
| Illinois | $34,600 | $41,260 | $29,120 | $62,360 | 2,530 |
| Ohio | $33,990 | $39,900 | $29,360 | $62,160 | 1,970 |
| Arkansas | $33,850 | $36,690 | $23,670 | $59,170 | 240 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Photographers Salary FAQs
Which state pays Photographerss the most?
Massachusetts pays the highest median salary for Photographerss at $60,610 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Massachusetts ($60,610), New York ($57,700), Oregon ($55,640), Minnesota ($54,650), New Jersey ($50,760).
What is the average Photographers salary nationally?
The average median Photographers salary across all 48 states is $41,902 per year. The salary ranges from $33,850 in Arkansas to $60,610 in Massachusetts — a difference of $26,760.
Which state pays Photographerss the least?
Arkansas has the lowest median Photographers salary at $33,850 per year. However, cost of living in Arkansas may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.