Photographer salary in New Mexico
Photographers in New Mexico earn a median of $48,090 a year ($23.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,780 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $44,660. New Mexico ranks 8th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $58,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| 25th percentile | $40,980 | $19.70 |
| Median | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| 75th percentile | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Average (mean) | $58,220 | $27.99 |
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 | $4,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,003.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,849.62 |
| Weekly | $924.81 |
| Hourly | $23.12 |
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 Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $50,670 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $48,090 | 100 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Film and Video Editors | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,700 | $33.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,980 | — |
| Technical Writer | $94,970 | $45.66 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,550 | $30.55 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $38,940 | $18.72 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico?
The median salary for photographers in New Mexico is $48,090 a year, or $23.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of photographers in New Mexico earn at least $79,780 a year. The top 25% earn $67,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,800 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $40,980 or less.
How many photographers work in New Mexico?
About 230 photographers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.