Photographer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Photographers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $42,530 a year ($20.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,340 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $40,520. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $52,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,230 | $12.13 |
| 25th percentile | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| Median | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| 75th percentile | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| Average (mean) | $52,190 | $25.09 |
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 | $3,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,772.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,635.77 |
| Weekly | $817.88 |
| Hourly | $20.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,060 | 60 |
| 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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Film and Video Editors | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| Broadcast Technician | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $73,140 | $35.16 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Editor | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Interior Designer | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Floral Designer | $36,070 | $17.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for photographers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $42,530 a year, or $20.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $75,340 a year. The top 25% earn $62,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,230 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,080 or less.
How many photographers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 290 photographers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.