Photographer salary in Massachusetts
Photographers in Massachusetts earn a median of $57,990 a year ($27.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,760 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $44,660. Massachusetts ranks 3rd of 49 states for photographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.23 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $71,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Median | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| 75th percentile | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,760 | $54.21 |
| Average (mean) | $71,300 | $34.28 |
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 | $4,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230.38 |
| Weekly | $1,115.19 |
| Hourly | $27.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MA | $60,430 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $55,020 | 670 |
| Worcester, MA | $50,170 | 60 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $50,060 | 240 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Technician | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Film and Video Editors | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,130 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Editor | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Art Director | $149,320 | $71.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for photographers in Massachusetts is $57,990 a year, or $27.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of photographers in Massachusetts earn at least $112,760 a year. The top 25% earn $98,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $43,410 or less.
How many photographers work in Massachusetts?
About 830 photographers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.