Photographer salary in Lancaster, PA
Photographers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $37,600 a year ($18.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,770 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 7% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $40,520. There are 0.49 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,030 | $15.88 |
| 25th percentile | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| Median | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 75th percentile | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Average (mean) | $43,830 | $21.07 |
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 | $3,133.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,566.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,446.15 |
| Weekly | $723.08 |
| Hourly | $18.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,060 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 |
| Reading, PA | $42,430 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $40,240 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 170 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $35,380 | 80 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | n/a |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Graphic Designer | $55,360 | $26.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,380 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Actor | — | $23.65 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Floral Designer | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Editor | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Interior Designer | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| Art Director | $83,060 | $39.94 |
| Writers and Authors | $65,660 | $31.57 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for photographers in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $37,600 a year, or $18.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $60,770 a year. The top 25% earn $47,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,030 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,890 or less.
How many photographers work in Lancaster, PA?
About 120 photographers are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.