Photographer salary in Rhode Island
Photographers in Rhode Island earn a median of $37,300 a year ($17.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,810 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $44,660. Rhode Island ranks 39th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.45 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,600 | $16.63 |
| 25th percentile | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Median | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 75th percentile | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| Average (mean) | $49,440 | $23.77 |
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 | $3,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,434.62 |
| Weekly | $717.31 |
| Hourly | $17.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $50,060 | 240 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,630 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| Graphic Designer | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Producers and Directors | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Interior Designer | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Editor | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Floral Designer | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $101,140 | $48.62 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| Technical Writer | $102,360 | $49.21 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for photographers in Rhode Island is $37,300 a year, or $17.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of photographers in Rhode Island earn at least $76,810 a year. The top 25% earn $57,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,600 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,080 or less.
How many photographers work in Rhode Island?
About 220 photographers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.