Photographer salary in North Carolina
Photographers in North Carolina earn a median of $37,120 a year ($17.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,060 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $44,660. North Carolina ranks 40th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.43 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| 25th percentile | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Median | $37,120 | $17.84 |
| 75th percentile | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Average (mean) | $47,540 | $22.86 |
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 | $3,093.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,546.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,427.69 |
| Weekly | $713.85 |
| Hourly | $17.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,840 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $41,130 | 300 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,690 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,670 | 210 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 160 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,560 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Film and Video Editors | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Lighting Technician | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for photographers in North Carolina is $37,120 a year, or $17.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of photographers in North Carolina earn at least $76,060 a year. The top 25% earn $52,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,330 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,170 or less.
How many photographers work in North Carolina?
About 2,130 photographers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.