Photographer salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Photographers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median of $47,300 a year ($22.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,990 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 12% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $42,060. There are 0.38 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,770 | $15.27 |
| 25th percentile | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| Median | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| 75th percentile | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,990 | $44.22 |
| Average (mean) | $54,150 | $26.03 |
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 | $3,941.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,970.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,819.23 |
| Weekly | $909.62 |
| Hourly | $22.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,960 | 520 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,760 | 80 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $44,940 | 300 |
| Madison, WI | $43,040 | 160 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $38,210 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,080 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $41,370 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,340 | $30.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Interior Designer | $61,890 | $29.76 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median salary for photographers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $47,300 a year, or $22.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The top 10% of photographers in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn at least $91,990 a year. The top 25% earn $77,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,770 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,490 or less.
How many photographers work in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
About 30 photographers are employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.