Photographer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Photographers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $41,130 a year ($19.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,230 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 11% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,120. There are 0.41 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,280 | $13.60 |
| 25th percentile | $33,750 | $16.22 |
| Median | $41,130 | $19.78 |
| 75th percentile | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Average (mean) | $51,210 | $24.62 |
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 | $3,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,713.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,581.92 |
| Weekly | $790.96 |
| Hourly | $19.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,840 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| 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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,770 | $22.49 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Film and Video Editors | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,180 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,700 | $29.67 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Technical Writer | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Interior Designer | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Editor | $76,360 | $36.71 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for photographers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $41,130 a year, or $19.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $80,230 a year. The top 25% earn $60,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,280 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,750 or less.
How many photographers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 300 photographers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.