Photographer salary in Pennsylvania
Photographers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,520 a year ($19.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,100 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pennsylvania ranks 27th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.31 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 25th percentile | $34,040 | $16.36 |
| Median | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| 75th percentile | $55,870 | $26.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| Average (mean) | $49,190 | $23.65 |
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 | $3,376.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,688.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,558.46 |
| Weekly | $779.23 |
| Hourly | $19.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,060 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 |
| Reading, PA | $42,430 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $40,240 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,600 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 170 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $35,380 | 80 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | n/a |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Broadcast Technician | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $51,760 | $24.88 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $75,600 | $36.35 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Lighting Technician | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,730 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Producers and Directors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Editor | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Floral Designer | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Interior Designer | $62,400 | $30.00 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for photographers in Pennsylvania is $40,520 a year, or $19.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of photographers in Pennsylvania earn at least $75,100 a year. The top 25% earn $55,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,020 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,040 or less.
How many photographers work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,870 photographers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.