Photographer salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Photographers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $43,750 a year ($21.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,130 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 12% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $39,170. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $50,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,780 | $15.28 |
| 25th percentile | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Median | $43,750 | $21.03 |
| 75th percentile | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Average (mean) | $50,980 | $24.51 |
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 | $3,645.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,822.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,682.69 |
| Weekly | $841.35 |
| Hourly | $21.03 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO | $52,510 | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,170 | 420 |
| 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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| Film and Video Editors | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Broadcast Technician | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,100 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,050 | $32.72 |
| Graphic Designer | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Interior Designer | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $37,650 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $66,470 | $31.96 |
| Floral Designer | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Editor | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| Technical Writer | $76,590 | $36.82 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 City, MO-KS?
The median salary for photographers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $43,750 a year, or $21.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of photographers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $79,130 a year. The top 25% earn $64,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,780 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,420 or less.
How many photographers work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 280 photographers are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.