Photographer salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Photographers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $41,690 a year ($20.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,250 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 13% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $36,830. There are 0.24 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $46,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,880 | $10.52 |
| 25th percentile | $28,950 | $13.92 |
| Median | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| 75th percentile | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Average (mean) | $46,340 | $22.28 |
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 | $3,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,737.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,603.46 |
| Weekly | $801.73 |
| Hourly | $20.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $45,040 | 30 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,450 | 50 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $64,680 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Graphic Designer | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Producers and Directors | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $54,400 | $26.16 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $63,920 | — |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Editor | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $65,230 | — |
| Floral Designer | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Interior Designer | $60,980 | $29.32 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for photographers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $41,690 a year, or $20.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $66,250 a year. The top 25% earn $62,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,880 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $28,950 or less.
How many photographers work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 100 photographers are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.