Photographer salary in Rapid City, SD
Photographers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $39,780 a year ($19.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,690 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 12% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $45,330. There are 0.42 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 25th percentile | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Median | $39,780 | $19.13 |
| 75th percentile | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Average (mean) | $41,740 | $20.07 |
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 | $3,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,657.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,530 |
| Weekly | $765 |
| Hourly | $19.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,760 | 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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $31,670 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Choreographer | $41,080 | $19.75 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Floral Designer | $33,490 | $16.10 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $52,680 | $25.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for photographers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $39,780 a year, or $19.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of photographers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $50,690 a year. The top 25% earn $49,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,150 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,980 or less.
How many photographers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 30 photographers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.