Photographer salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Photographers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $36,900 a year ($17.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,610 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 3% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $35,960. There are 0.43 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,460 | $13.68 |
| 25th percentile | $31,100 | $14.95 |
| Median | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| 75th percentile | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| Average (mean) | $41,640 | $20.02 |
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 | $3,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,537.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,419.23 |
| Weekly | $709.62 |
| Hourly | $17.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 230 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $35,920 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 50 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Technician | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,130 | $24.10 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,840 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,280 | $25.14 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Interior Designer | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Producers and Directors | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $44,000 | $21.16 |
| Editor | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Floral Designer | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $66,160 | $31.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for photographers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $36,900 a year, or $17.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $57,610 a year. The top 25% earn $44,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,460 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $31,100 or less.
How many photographers work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 100 photographers are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.