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Photographers Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Photographers make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,570
Median Annual Salary
▲
+5.7% vs 2024
$50,600
Mean Salary
$36,570
Median Salary
$17.58
Hourly Rate
2,150 people work as Photographers in Illinois
Photographers salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Photographers in Illinois earn a median salary of $36,570 per year ($3,047/month).
This is 16.7% below the national average of $43,927.
Illinois ranks #44 out of 49 states for Photographers pay.
Approximately 2,150 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 5.7% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Photographers
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.75
Speaking
3.75
Service Orientation
3.25
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Critical Thinking
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
4.68
Sales and Marketing
4.48
Computers and Electronics
4.18
Administration and Management
3.86
English Language
3.73
Typical Education: Some College Courses
(27.3% of workers)
Salaries for Photographers in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $96,770 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $32,300 and $57,590.
Median $36,570
P10: $31,200P25: $32,300P75: $57,590P90: $96,770
10th
$31,200
25th
$32,300
Median
$36,570
75th
$57,590
90th
$96,770
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$31,200
$15.00
$2,600
25th Percentile
$32,300
$15.53
$2,691
Median (50th)
$36,570
$17.58
$3,047
75th Percentile
$57,590
$27.69
$4,799
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$96,770
$46.52
$8,064
Note: The mean (average) salary of $50,600 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Photographers in Illinois is $36,570 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $50,600.
What is the salary range for a Photographers in Illinois?
Salaries for Photographers in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile to $96,770 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $32,300 and $57,590.
What is the starting salary for a Photographers in Illinois?
Entry-level Photographers positions in Illinois typically start around $31,200 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $32,300 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Photographers in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,150 people are employed as Photographers in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Photographers in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Photographers in Illinois is approximately $17.58 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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