Photographer salary in Columbia, SC
Photographers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $36,060 a year ($17.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,120 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $37,890. There are 0.30 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,320 | $12.66 |
| 25th percentile | $27,190 | $13.07 |
| Median | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 75th percentile | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Average (mean) | $38,590 | $18.56 |
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 | $3,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,502.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,386.92 |
| Weekly | $693.46 |
| Hourly | $17.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $56,890 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,020 | 30 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $39,730 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,950 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,950 | 70 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Broadcast Technician | $50,920 | $24.48 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $74,960 | $36.04 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for photographers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $36,060 a year, or $17.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $58,120 a year. The top 25% earn $44,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,320 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $27,190 or less.
How many photographers work in Columbia, SC?
About 120 photographers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.