Photographer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Photographers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $46,170 a year ($22.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,930 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $46,450. There are 0.35 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Median | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| 75th percentile | $69,120 | $33.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,930 | $41.79 |
| Average (mean) | $53,770 | $25.85 |
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 | $3,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,923.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775.77 |
| Weekly | $887.88 |
| Hourly | $22.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $71,090 | $34.18 |
| Broadcast Technician | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Film and Video Editors | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Lighting Technician | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $74,890 | $36.00 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,850 | $38.87 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for photographers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $46,170 a year, or $22.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of photographers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $86,930 a year. The top 25% earn $69,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,030 or less.
How many photographers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 480 photographers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.