Photographer salary in Indiana
Photographers in Indiana earn a median of $35,960 a year ($17.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,350 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. Indiana ranks 47th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.25 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $40,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| Median | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 75th percentile | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,350 | $28.54 |
| Average (mean) | $40,650 | $19.54 |
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 | $2,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,498.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,383.08 |
| Weekly | $691.54 |
| Hourly | $17.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Indiana
| 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 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Broadcast Technician | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Film and Video Editors | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Lighting Technician | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,480 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $61,760 | $29.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for photographers in Indiana is $35,960 a year, or $17.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Indiana?
The top 10% of photographers in Indiana earn at least $59,350 a year. The top 25% earn $47,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,960 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $30,840 or less.
How many photographers work in Indiana?
About 810 photographers are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.