Photographer salary in Montana
Photographers in Montana earn a median of $39,900 a year ($19.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,570 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $44,660. Montana ranks 28th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.36 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,070 | $11.57 |
| 25th percentile | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Median | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| 75th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,570 | $53.16 |
| Average (mean) | $49,120 | $23.62 |
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 | $3,325 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,662.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,534.62 |
| Weekly | $767.31 |
| Hourly | $19.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $44,020 | 60 |
| Billings, MT | $36,360 | 30 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| Film and Video Editors | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Broadcast Technician | $46,600 | $22.41 |
| Lighting Technician | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $36,890 | $17.73 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,020 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $52,580 | $25.28 |
| Floral Designer | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Interior Designer | $61,770 | $29.70 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for photographers in Montana is $39,900 a year, or $19.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Montana?
The top 10% of photographers in Montana earn at least $110,570 a year. The top 25% earn $52,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,070 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $28,910 or less.
How many photographers work in Montana?
About 190 photographers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.