Photographer salary in Minnesota
Photographers in Minnesota earn a median of $46,470 a year ($22.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,530 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $44,660. Minnesota ranks 15th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.25 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $56,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| 25th percentile | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Median | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| 75th percentile | $65,050 | $31.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| Average (mean) | $56,220 | $27.03 |
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 | $3,872.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,936.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,787.31 |
| Weekly | $893.65 |
| Hourly | $22.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,300 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,960 | 520 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,760 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $38,210 | 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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| Broadcast Technician | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Film and Video Editors | $53,150 | $25.55 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,050 | — |
| Editor | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Interior Designer | $73,270 | $35.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,410 | $31.93 |
| Art Director | $109,700 | $52.74 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for photographers in Minnesota is $46,470 a year, or $22.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of photographers in Minnesota earn at least $84,530 a year. The top 25% earn $65,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,890 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $44,450 or less.
How many photographers work in Minnesota?
About 730 photographers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.