Photographer salary in Louisiana
Photographers in Louisiana earn a median of $36,830 a year ($17.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,310 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $44,660. Louisiana ranks 42nd of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $43,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,180 | $9.22 |
| 25th percentile | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Median | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 75th percentile | $56,550 | $27.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,310 | $33.80 |
| Average (mean) | $43,530 | $20.93 |
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 | $3,069.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,534.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,416.54 |
| Weekly | $708.27 |
| Hourly | $17.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $45,040 | 30 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $41,690 | 100 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,450 | 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Broadcast Technician | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Film and Video Editors | $66,870 | $32.15 |
| Lighting Technician | $66,840 | $32.14 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,960 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Graphic Designer | $49,910 | $23.99 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $27.96 |
| Writers and Authors | $89,520 | $43.04 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for photographers in Louisiana is $36,830 a year, or $17.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of photographers in Louisiana earn at least $70,310 a year. The top 25% earn $56,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,180 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $26,240 or less.
How many photographers work in Louisiana?
About 510 photographers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.