Photographer salary in Iowa
Photographers in Iowa earn a median of $38,290 a year ($18.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,830 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $44,660. Iowa ranks 33rd of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.28 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $23,670 | $11.38 |
| Median | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 75th percentile | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Average (mean) | $42,860 | $20.61 |
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 | $3,190.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,595.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,472.69 |
| Weekly | $736.35 |
| Hourly | $18.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,160 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,100 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $42,080 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,190 | 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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Broadcast Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for photographers in Iowa is $38,290 a year, or $18.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of photographers in Iowa earn at least $77,830 a year. The top 25% earn $49,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $23,670 or less.
How many photographers work in Iowa?
About 430 photographers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.