Photographer salary in New Jersey
Photographers in New Jersey earn a median of $40,520 a year ($19.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,780 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $44,660. New Jersey ranks 26th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.34 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Median | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| 75th percentile | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,780 | $44.13 |
| Average (mean) | $53,410 | $25.68 |
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 | $3,376.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,688.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,558.46 |
| Weekly | $779.23 |
| Hourly | $19.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $43,940 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $40,910 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 170 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Film and Video Editors | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| Lighting Technician | $87,550 | $42.09 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $115,190 | $55.38 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| Technical Writer | $122,320 | $58.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for photographers in New Jersey is $40,520 a year, or $19.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of photographers in New Jersey earn at least $91,780 a year. The top 25% earn $60,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,990 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,400 or less.
How many photographers work in New Jersey?
About 1,460 photographers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.