Photographer salary in Cleveland, OH
Photographers in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $42,090 a year ($20.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,300 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 9% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $38,470. There are 0.28 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,230 | $14.06 |
| 25th percentile | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| Median | $42,090 | $20.24 |
| 75th percentile | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,300 | $38.60 |
| Average (mean) | $49,650 | $23.87 |
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 | $3,507.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,753.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,618.85 |
| Weekly | $809.42 |
| Hourly | $20.24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Columbus, OH | $41,390 | 310 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,790 | 130 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $36,580 | 60 |
| Akron, OH | $36,100 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,810 | 80 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Broadcast Technician | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Film and Video Editors | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,500 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Interior Designer | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Editor | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| Producers and Directors | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $35.79 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,660 | $23.40 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for photographers in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $42,090 a year, or $20.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of photographers in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $80,300 a year. The top 25% earn $61,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,230 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,940 or less.
How many photographers work in Cleveland, OH?
About 290 photographers are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.