Photographer salary in Birmingham, AL
Photographers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $38,390 a year ($18.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,050 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 6% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $36,130. 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 $48,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,980 | $12.49 |
| 25th percentile | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Median | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| 75th percentile | $58,020 | $27.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,050 | $39.93 |
| Average (mean) | $48,210 | $23.18 |
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 | $3,199.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,599.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,476.54 |
| Weekly | $738.27 |
| Hourly | $18.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $52,160 | 30 |
| 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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Technician | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $54,020 | $25.97 |
| Film and Video Editors | $74,410 | $35.78 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Editor | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
| Art Director | $78,710 | $37.84 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for photographers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $38,390 a year, or $18.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of photographers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $83,050 a year. The top 25% earn $58,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,980 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $27,590 or less.
How many photographers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 130 photographers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.