Photographer salary in Oregon
Photographers in Oregon earn a median of $53,630 a year ($25.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,380 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $44,660. Oregon ranks 4th of 49 states for photographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $69,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| 25th percentile | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Median | $53,630 | $25.78 |
| 75th percentile | $80,680 | $38.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,380 | $53.07 |
| Average (mean) | $69,290 | $33.31 |
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 | $4,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,234.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,062.69 |
| Weekly | $1,031.35 |
| Hourly | $25.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $65,990 | 30 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,220 | 350 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Film and Video Editors | $72,300 | $34.76 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| Broadcast Technician | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Lighting Technician | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,960 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Editor | $71,540 | $34.39 |
| Art Director | $133,840 | $64.34 |
| Interior Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Writers and Authors | $80,540 | $38.72 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for photographers in Oregon is $53,630 a year, or $25.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Oregon?
The top 10% of photographers in Oregon earn at least $110,380 a year. The top 25% earn $80,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,010 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $42,560 or less.
How many photographers work in Oregon?
About 510 photographers are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.