Photographer salary in New York
Photographers in New York earn a median of $60,050 a year ($28.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,470 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $44,660. New York ranks 2nd of 49 states for photographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.38 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 25th percentile | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| Median | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| 75th percentile | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Average (mean) | $71,710 | $34.48 |
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 | $5,004.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,502.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,309.62 |
| Weekly | $1,154.81 |
| Hourly | $28.87 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $50,940 | 130 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,560 | 80 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,960 | 30 |
| Rochester, NY | $42,260 | 120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $39,190 | 140 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Film and Video Editors | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $93,410 | $44.91 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $87,510 | $42.07 |
| Broadcast Technician | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Lighting Technician | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for photographers in New York is $60,050 a year, or $28.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in New York?
The top 10% of photographers in New York earn at least $109,470 a year. The top 25% earn $93,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,890 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $43,080 or less.
How many photographers work in New York?
About 3,650 photographers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.