Photographer salary in Maryland
Photographers in Maryland earn a median of $46,450 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,660 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $44,660. Maryland ranks 16th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.29 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Median | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Average (mean) | $57,560 | $27.68 |
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 | $3,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.54 |
| Weekly | $893.27 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $46,170 | 480 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Broadcast Technician | $64,030 | $30.79 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Lighting Technician | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for photographers in Maryland is $46,450 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Maryland?
The top 10% of photographers in Maryland earn at least $93,660 a year. The top 25% earn $81,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,300 or less.
How many photographers work in Maryland?
About 790 photographers are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.