Photographer salary in Hawaii
Photographers in Hawaii earn a median of $45,960 a year ($22.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,820 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $44,660. Hawaii ranks 17th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.70 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Hawaii
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| Median | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| 75th percentile | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,820 | $50.88 |
| Average (mean) | $57,030 | $27.42 |
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 | $3,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,915 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,767.69 |
| Weekly | $883.85 |
| Hourly | $22.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Hawaii
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $51,870 | 100 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $45,300 | 280 |
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 |
Related jobs in Hawaii
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $44,230 | $21.27 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,880 | $30.71 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,860 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $52.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Dancer | — | $24.68 |
| Floral Designer | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Interior Designer | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $29.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Hawaii
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 Hawaii?
The median salary for photographers in Hawaii is $45,960 a year, or $22.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Hawaii?
The top 10% of photographers in Hawaii earn at least $105,820 a year. The top 25% earn $59,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Hawaii?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,730 or less.
How many photographers work in Hawaii?
About 440 photographers are employed in Hawaii, not counting the self-employed.