Photographer salary in Alabama
Photographers in Alabama earn a median of $36,130 a year ($17.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,550 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. Alabama ranks 45th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.25 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $43,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,590 | $11.82 |
| 25th percentile | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| Median | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 75th percentile | $55,760 | $26.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Average (mean) | $43,480 | $20.90 |
Half of photographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,389.62 |
| Weekly | $694.81 |
| Hourly | $17.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $52,160 | 30 |
| Birmingham, AL | $38,390 | 130 |
| Mobile, AL | $37,490 | 40 |
| Huntsville, AL | $31,200 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for photographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| New York | $60,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 |
| Oregon | $53,630 |
| Utah | $52,140 |
| Delaware | $50,100 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 |
| Washington | $48,050 |
| California | $47,840 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| Film and Video Editors | $74,410 | $35.78 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,840 | $20.60 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Graphic Designer | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,340 | $30.45 |
| Technical Writer | $85,840 | $41.27 |
| Interior Designer | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Editor | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Floral Designer | $34,430 | $16.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make in Alabama?
The median salary for photographers in Alabama is $36,130 a year, or $17.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of photographers in Alabama earn at least $72,550 a year. The top 25% earn $55,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,590 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $28,470 or less.
How many photographers work in Alabama?
About 530 photographers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.