Photographer salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Photographers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $33,600 a year ($16.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,260 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 11% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $37,950. There are 0.20 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $39,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,180 | $9.22 |
| 25th percentile | $30,040 | $14.44 |
| Median | $33,600 | $16.15 |
| 75th percentile | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Average (mean) | $39,580 | $19.03 |
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 | $2,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,400 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,292.31 |
| Weekly | $646.15 |
| Hourly | $16.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $49,110 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $48,670 | 930 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,480 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,020 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,510 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,240 | 100 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Film and Video Editors | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,490 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,370 | $31.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $55,250 | $26.56 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Writers and Authors | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Interior Designer | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Editor | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| Floral Designer | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,720 | $17.17 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for photographers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $33,600 a year, or $16.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $59,260 a year. The top 25% earn $48,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,180 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $30,040 or less.
How many photographers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 50 photographers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.