Photographer salary in Reading, PA
Photographers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $42,430 a year ($20.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,340 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 0.25 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $45,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,020 | $14.92 |
| 25th percentile | $33,180 | $15.95 |
| Median | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| 75th percentile | $51,930 | $24.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,340 | $31.90 |
| Average (mean) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
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 | $3,535.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,767.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,631.92 |
| Weekly | $815.96 |
| Hourly | $20.40 |
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 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 |
| 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 Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| Graphic Designer | $54,340 | $26.13 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,960 | — |
| Editor | $65,130 | $31.31 |
| Floral Designer | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,230 | $37.61 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $62,590 | $30.09 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Reading, 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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for photographers in the Reading, PA metro area is $42,430 a year, or $20.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $66,340 a year. The top 25% earn $51,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,020 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,180 or less.
How many photographers work in Reading, PA?
About 40 photographers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.