Photographer salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Photographers in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $50,940 a year ($24.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,560 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 15% lower than the New York statewide median of $60,050. There are 0.29 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| 25th percentile | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Median | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| 75th percentile | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Average (mean) | $56,970 | $27.39 |
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 | $4,245 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,122.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,959.23 |
| Weekly | $979.62 |
| Hourly | $24.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | 150 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,560 | 80 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,960 | 30 |
| Rochester, NY | $42,260 | 120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $39,190 | 140 |
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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $56,710 | $27.27 |
| Broadcast Technician | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $57,620 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| Producers and Directors | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Editor | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| Interior Designer | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.78 |
| Floral Designer | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,100 | $28.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for photographers in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $50,940 a year, or $24.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of photographers in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $79,560 a year. The top 25% earn $79,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,620 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $39,680 or less.
How many photographers work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 130 photographers are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.