Photographer salary in Billings, MT
Photographers in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $36,360 a year ($17.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,570 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 9% lower than the Montana statewide median of $39,900. There are 0.34 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,190 | $11.15 |
| 25th percentile | $28,840 | $13.86 |
| Median | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 75th percentile | $57,820 | $27.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,570 | $53.16 |
| Average (mean) | $52,260 | $25.12 |
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 | $3,030 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,515 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,398.46 |
| Weekly | $699.23 |
| Hourly | $17.48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $44,020 | 60 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $28,090 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,350 | $22.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Technical Writer | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Interior Designer | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Floral Designer | $35,270 | $16.96 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Billings, MT
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 Billings, MT?
The median salary for photographers in the Billings, MT metro area is $36,360 a year, or $17.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of photographers in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $110,570 a year. The top 25% earn $57,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,190 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $28,840 or less.
How many photographers work in Billings, MT?
About 30 photographers are employed in the Billings, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.