Photographer salary in Kansas
Photographers in Kansas earn a median of $37,790 a year ($18.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,380 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $44,660. Kansas ranks 36th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.21 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $44,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,340 | $14.11 |
| 25th percentile | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Median | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| 75th percentile | $50,470 | $24.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,380 | $34.80 |
| Average (mean) | $44,120 | $21.21 |
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 | $3,149.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,574.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,453.46 |
| Weekly | $726.73 |
| Hourly | $18.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $43,750 | 280 |
| Wichita, KS | $36,300 | 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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Broadcast Technician | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Film and Video Editors | $50,900 | $24.47 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Lighting Technician | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,900 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,860 | $31.18 |
| Graphic Designer | $53,630 | $25.79 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Editor | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Floral Designer | $31,190 | $15.00 |
| Technical Writer | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for photographers in Kansas is $37,790 a year, or $18.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Kansas?
The top 10% of photographers in Kansas earn at least $72,380 a year. The top 25% earn $50,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,340 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,240 or less.
How many photographers work in Kansas?
About 300 photographers are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.