Photographer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Photographers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $44,290 a year ($21.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,100 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $46,550. There are 0.51 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,520 | $15.63 |
| 25th percentile | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Median | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| 75th percentile | $53,710 | $25.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Average (mean) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
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 | $3,690.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,845.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,703.46 |
| Weekly | $851.73 |
| Hourly | $21.29 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
| Richmond, VA | $46,420 | 270 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,710 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,450 | — |
| Editor | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| Interior Designer | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Floral Designer | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Technical Writer | $93,530 | $44.97 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $33,340 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for photographers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $44,290 a year, or $21.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $80,100 a year. The top 25% earn $53,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,520 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,500 or less.
How many photographers work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 60 photographers are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.