Photographer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Photographers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $36,670 a year ($17.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,280 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,120. There are 0.60 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| 25th percentile | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Median | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 75th percentile | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| Average (mean) | $46,860 | $22.53 |
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 | $3,055.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,527.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,410.38 |
| Weekly | $705.19 |
| Hourly | $17.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,840 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $41,130 | 300 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,690 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 160 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,560 | 30 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $28.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for photographers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $36,670 a year, or $17.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $71,280 a year. The top 25% earn $57,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,540 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,170 or less.
How many photographers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 210 photographers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.