Photographer salary in California
Photographers in California earn a median of $47,840 a year ($23.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,490 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $44,660. California ranks 10th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.44 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| 25th percentile | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Median | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| 75th percentile | $72,100 | $34.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,490 | $60.33 |
| Average (mean) | $70,040 | $33.67 |
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 | $3,986.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,993.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,840 |
| Weekly | $920 |
| Hourly | $23.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $58,840 | 880 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $56,220 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,220 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,470 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $50,500 | 60 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $48,790 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,840 | 4,290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $46,620 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,880 | 290 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,240 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $44,030 | 620 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $43,870 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,710 | 460 |
| Vallejo, CA | $43,040 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,520 | 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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $106,900 | $51.39 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Lighting Technician | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for photographers in California is $47,840 a year, or $23.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in California?
The top 10% of photographers in California earn at least $125,490 a year. The top 25% earn $72,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,470 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $38,410 or less.
How many photographers work in California?
About 7,980 photographers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.