Photographer salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Photographers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $41,750 a year ($20.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,870 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 16% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $35,960. There are 0.44 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,820 | $11.93 |
| 25th percentile | $29,330 | $14.10 |
| Median | $41,750 | $20.07 |
| 75th percentile | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| Average (mean) | $42,220 | $20.30 |
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 | $3,479.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,739.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,605.77 |
| Weekly | $802.88 |
| Hourly | $20.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Photographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 230 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $35,920 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,380 | $32.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $66,250 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Editor | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Floral Designer | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $57,470 | $27.63 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for photographers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $41,750 a year, or $20.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $69,870 a year. The top 25% earn $50,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,820 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $29,330 or less.
How many photographers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 40 photographers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.