Photographer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Photographers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $37,190 a year ($17.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,060 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $38,290. There are 0.39 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Median | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| 75th percentile | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,060 | $34.17 |
| Average (mean) | $40,410 | $19.43 |
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 | $3,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,549.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,430.38 |
| Weekly | $715.19 |
| Hourly | $17.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,160 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,100 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $42,080 | 170 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,150 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,520 | $28.14 |
| Producers and Directors | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Editor | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Technical Writer | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $66,400 | $31.92 |
| Interior Designer | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Art Director | $103,120 | $49.58 |
| Floral Designer | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $62,110 | $29.86 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for photographers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $37,190 a year, or $17.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $71,060 a year. The top 25% earn $41,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,430 or less.
How many photographers work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 50 photographers are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.