Photographer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Photographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $36,810 a year ($17.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,080 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $36,570. There are 0.35 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,520 | $16.60 |
| Median | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 75th percentile | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| Average (mean) | $52,040 | $25.02 |
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 | $3,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.77 |
| Weekly | $707.88 |
| Hourly | $17.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,100 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,170 | 420 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 230 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $36,360 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $35,920 | 40 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,510 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 | $46.19 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,140 | $35.17 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Lighting Technician | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for photographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,810 a year, or $17.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $100,080 a year. The top 25% earn $59,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,520 or less.
How many photographers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,590 photographers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.