Photographer salary in Madison, WI
Photographers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $43,040 a year ($20.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,390 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $42,060. There are 0.40 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Median | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 75th percentile | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Average (mean) | $48,170 | $23.16 |
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 | $3,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,793.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,655.38 |
| Weekly | $827.69 |
| Hourly | $20.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,300 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,960 | 520 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $44,940 | 300 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Broadcast Technician | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| Film and Video Editors | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for photographers in the Madison, WI metro area is $43,040 a year, or $20.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of photographers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $76,390 a year. The top 25% earn $57,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,630 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,380 or less.
How many photographers work in Madison, WI?
About 160 photographers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.