Photographer salary in El Paso, TX
Photographers in the El Paso, TX metro area earn a median of $36,650 a year ($17.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,960 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 11% lower than the Texas statewide median of $41,280. There are 0.24 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $40,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in El Paso, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,600 | $12.79 |
| 25th percentile | $31,430 | $15.11 |
| Median | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 75th percentile | $46,390 | $22.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Average (mean) | $40,400 | $19.43 |
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 | $3,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,527.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,409.62 |
| Weekly | $704.81 |
| Hourly | $17.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | $45,000 | 50 |
| Waco, TX | $44,300 | 30 |
| Lubbock, TX | $44,230 | 40 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,970 | 1,480 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $41,840 | 40 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,280 | 800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,970 | 540 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $37,780 | 330 |
| Tyler, TX | $34,130 | 50 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $32,780 | n/a |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $28,110 | 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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in El Paso, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Broadcast Technician | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,810 | $27.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,840 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Graphic Designer | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Producers and Directors | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Floral Designer | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Interior Designer | $57,650 | $27.71 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $106,010 | $50.97 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in El Paso, TX
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 El Paso, TX?
The median salary for photographers in the El Paso, TX metro area is $36,650 a year, or $17.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in El Paso, TX?
The top 10% of photographers in the El Paso, TX metro area earn at least $56,960 a year. The top 25% earn $46,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in El Paso, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,600 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $31,430 or less.
How many photographers work in El Paso, TX?
About 80 photographers are employed in the El Paso, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.