Photographer salary in Kentucky
Photographers in Kentucky earn a median of $47,170 a year ($22.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,490 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $44,660. Kentucky ranks 11th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.19 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $49,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,990 | $11.53 |
| 25th percentile | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Median | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 | $28.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| Average (mean) | $49,990 | $24.03 |
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 | $3,930.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,965.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,814.23 |
| Weekly | $907.12 |
| Hourly | $22.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,170 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $42,540 | 30 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Broadcast Technician | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Film and Video Editors | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $74,100 | $35.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $35,570 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Editor | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| Floral Designer | $34,940 | $16.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for photographers in Kentucky is $47,170 a year, or $22.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of photographers in Kentucky earn at least $76,490 a year. The top 25% earn $59,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,990 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $30,200 or less.
How many photographers work in Kentucky?
About 380 photographers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.