Photographer salary in Knoxville, TN
Photographers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $36,240 a year ($17.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,920 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $37,950. There are 0.23 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $43,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,820 | $11.93 |
| 25th percentile | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| Median | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| 75th percentile | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,920 | $31.69 |
| Average (mean) | $43,280 | $20.81 |
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 | $3,020 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,510 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,393.85 |
| Weekly | $696.92 |
| Hourly | $17.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,480 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,510 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,600 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $53,180 | $25.57 |
| Film and Video Editors | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Broadcast Technician | $55,170 | $26.53 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,670 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| Interior Designer | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Floral Designer | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,770 | $31.14 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for photographers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $36,240 a year, or $17.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $65,920 a year. The top 25% earn $52,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,820 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $30,410 or less.
How many photographers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 100 photographers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.