Photographer salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Photographers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $38,210 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,990 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $37,410. There are 0.36 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| 25th percentile | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Median | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Average (mean) | $46,170 | $22.20 |
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 | $3,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,592.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,469.62 |
| Weekly | $734.81 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,300 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,960 | 520 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,760 | 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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,990 | $24.04 |
| Broadcast Technician | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $41,240 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,950 | $33.15 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| Editor | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Producers and Directors | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Interior Designer | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Floral Designer | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Technical Writer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $63,190 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for photographers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $38,210 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $71,990 a year. The top 25% earn $49,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,950 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,990 or less.
How many photographers work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 50 photographers are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.