Photographer salary in Ohio
Photographers in Ohio earn a median of $38,470 a year ($18.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,990 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $44,660. Ohio ranks 32nd of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.28 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,670 | $11.38 |
| 25th percentile | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| Median | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 75th percentile | $53,180 | $25.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Average (mean) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
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 | $3,205.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,602.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,479.62 |
| Weekly | $739.81 |
| Hourly | $18.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Cleveland, OH | $42,090 | 290 |
| Columbus, OH | $41,390 | 310 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,790 | 130 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $36,580 | 60 |
| Akron, OH | $36,100 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,810 | 80 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $64,860 | $31.18 |
| Broadcast Technician | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| Film and Video Editors | $56,410 | $27.12 |
| Lighting Technician | $54,940 | $26.41 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $71,610 | $34.43 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,530 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,840 | $31.18 |
| Interior Designer | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Editor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for photographers in Ohio is $38,470 a year, or $18.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Ohio?
The top 10% of photographers in Ohio earn at least $80,990 a year. The top 25% earn $53,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,670 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $31,650 or less.
How many photographers work in Ohio?
About 1,540 photographers are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.